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http://213.172.65.36:4022/play/113

NEWS

Netflix's hurdle: getting Aussies to pay

From http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/business/netflixs-hurdle-getting-aussies-to-pay/story-fnjbnvtc-1227246553031

GLOBAL giant Netflix will arrive in Australia in less than three weeks, ushering in what is arguably the biggest change to the TV landscape in decades.

BUT before it can truly add Australia to its growing list of international conquests, it has one big hurdle to overcome, namely, to convince Australians to pay to watch content.

SBS chief executive Michael Ebeid thinks Australia's aversion to paying for content will likely slow the growth of the local online streaming industry."My feeling is that it (streaming) will take longer to take off in Australia than it did in the US," he told the Broadcasting and Digital Media Summit in Sydney.Online streaming is taking off globally, nowhere more so than the US, where Netflix has close to 40 million subscribers.But Mr Ebeid said US consumers were much more likely to have a cable TV subscription that their Australian counterparts and so were already predisposed to pay to watch TV.

Around 90 per cent of US homes have a cable subscription, compared to around 30 per cent for Australia.

Meanwhile, Australians have already become accustomed to getting hit TV shows like Game of Thrones and House of Cards, having become among the most prolific illegal downloaders in the world.

Existing media players have preempted Netflix's long awaited March 24 arrival by bringing out their own online streaming services: Fairfax and Nine have partnered together on Stan, while Seven West Media has joined forces with Foxtel's Presto service.

According to its owners, Stan is on track to have 100,000 customers signed up by mid-March and Nine boss David Gyngell, for one, has high hopes for the service.

"If we get this thing right, I believe that in three years time there will be a couple of million people subscribing to these sort of services," he said.

"It's a scary opportunity to make some money."

But Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association boss Andrew Maiden said streaming would be work alongside, rather than replace free to air or Pay TV.

He said Australia's streaming market could be worth between $700 million and $900 million, which is around a tenth of the size of the existing TV industry.

"I think its easy to get carried away by the extent to which these services are going to shake up the industry," he said.

Optus, Nokia trial real-time video delivery

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/03/02/optus-nokia-trial-real-time-video-delivery/

Australian telco Optus is to conduct a closed trial of a real-time, interactive, multimedia video experience at its Sydney headquarters that delivers content to subscribers through onsite base stations via Liquid Applications, a solution developed by partner Nokia Networks.

The trial is designed to distribute video and multimedia content to users directly from adjoining base stations  as content sits in the base station  rather than via the network core, resulting in increased delivery speed, and improved network congestion management benefits.

In a practical situation, Liquid Applications enables users to watch a sports match, concert, or major event from a variety of different angles on their device in real-time from content streamed directly from a nearby base station.

For example, if a spectator wants a different angle, or would like to switch between multiple views at a tennis, football or cricket match, using Liquid Applications they can do so directly from various cameras capturing the content around the site.

SingTel Group Chief Technology Officer, Tay Soo Meng said the trial was designed to explore the next phase of content delivery for customers, with the process reducing latency and providing ultra-responsive delivery at the edge of the network.

According to Tay, Optus is increasingly focusing on mobile Internet and strengthening its video delivery service capability. “The trial of Nokia’s Liquid Application is an important step towards testing a host of applications that would enhance end-user experience,” he added.

Liquid Applications works by equipping base stations with general purpose computing technology including a technology-powered server, to provide intelligent processing and storage capabilities for content and applications.

This accelerates the delivery of smartphone or tablet-based content and services, while reducing the amount of data passing between the base station and the network or the Internet.

According to Optus, the solution is also ideal for travel and holiday destinations, major points of interest, and tourist attractions. The end user can experience interesting facts and historical information about the location they are in, which is streamed directly from the nearest base station through the application.

The demonstration will commence at Optus’s Sydney headquarters and will comprise two cameras streaming videos to a nearby mobile base station.

Through Nokia’s Liquid Applications, the test team will be able to switch between the two cameras to enjoy different perspectives captured by the cameras directly on their smartphone or tablet.

Ray Owen, Head of Australia and New Zealand, Nokia Networks, said the demonstration would enable Optus subscribers to experience an interactive and customised video viewing experience on their smart devices with no delay. “We have combined our skills and technology expertise to help users experience the next generation of mobile broadband technology  setting a benchmark that complies with the highest standards of customer experience. It’s a win-win situation for the operator and its subscribers,” he declared.

Testers will have access to an application developed in collaboration with Nokia on their smart phone and tablet device to test how well the content is delivered to them and how responsive the interactive ability of the service is.

The multimedia content will be delivered over the Optus 4G Plus network

Netflix will begin streaming in Australia and New Zealand on 24 March

From http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=1720

The wait for Netflix in Australia and New Zealand is nearly over. Netflix will begin streaming in the two countries on 24 March, the company announced today.

“Many Aussies and Kiwis have heard a lot about Netflix over the years, and we’re excited they’ll get to experience our unique blend of Netflix original content, local series and films, and popular movies and TV shows from around the world, all for a low monthly price,” said Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and chief executive officer.

Starting today, consumers in Australia and New Zealand can find the latest updates on Netflix content and social happenings via the company’s local Twitter and Instagram (@NetflixANZ), Facebook (www.facebook.com/NetflixANZ) and Tumblr (NetflixANZ) accounts.

Netflix will be available on all major Australian broadband operators. Customers of iiNet, the nation’s second-largest DSL Internet provider, will be able to enjoy hours of entertainment, including all three seasons of the political drama House of Cards, family thriller Bloodline and other movies and TV shows from the Netflix catalogue, with no fear of the usage counting against home data caps, under the first un-metering agreement announced with a major broadband provider in Australia.

"Offering our customers quota-free access to Netflix is yet another demonstration of iiNet’s commitment to providing our customers great, hassle-free entertainment experiences," said David Buckingham, chief executive officer of iiNet. “iiNet is proud to facilitate consumers’ access to this great entertainment service."

At launch, Netflix will be available on smart televisions manufactured by Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Philips and HiSense, and Fetch TV’s second-generation set-top box. Film and TV fans can also access Netflix on game consoles, including Sony’s PlayStation 3 (PS3) and PlayStation 4 (PS4), Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Xbox One, and Nintendo’s Wii U, as well as Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Apple and Android tablets and smartphones.

Mobile users who sign up for specific plans offered by Vodafone in New Zealand will receive several months of prepaid service, whilst consumers purchasing Microsoft’s next generation console, the Xbox One, at select stores will receive three months prepaid access to the Netflix service, starting 24 March and for a limited time only.

“Xbox has a long association with Netflix around the world, and with this announcement we’re excited to bring our partnership to the millions of Xbox owners across Australia and New Zealand,” said Jeremy Hinton, business group lead for Interactive Entertainment at Microsoft Australia. “With Xbox One we are committed to delivering the best entertainment experience in Australian and New Zealand living rooms.”

From launch, consumers will be able to purchase Netflix gift cards in denominations of $20, $30 and $50 at participating Australian retailers, including Woolworths, Coles, Big W, 7-Eleven, Australia Post and Officeworks. Netflix will offer a single-stream standard definition plan, two-stream high-definition plan and four-stream 4K ultra-high definition “family” plan. Details on monthly pricing will be available at launch.

Internet-connected users will be able to subscribe to Netflix and instantly watch a curated selection of popular movies and TV shows in high-definition or Ultra HD 4K where available. In addition to Netflix original series including Marco Polo, the dramatic thriller Sense8; Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt; Marvel’s Daredevil; DreamWorks Animation’s The Adventures of Puss in Boots and All Hail King Julien, and the Academy Award-nominated documentary Virunga, members will also enjoy an exciting range of exclusive and licensed content from many of the world’s leading distributors, including Roadshow Entertainment, Beyond Distribution, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and The Walt Disney Company.

Netflix joins forces with Vodafone for NZ launch

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11410836

The Lord of the Rings trilogy will be available when Netflix launches here on March 24.

Vodafone has announced that it is joining forces with streaming TV newcomer Netflix, offering a special deal for its broadband customers.

From March 24, Vodafone New Zealand will give its customers Netflix service free for 6 months when they sign up for 24 months to one of its "Red+" mobile plans. The deal will also be available to existing customers.

"We know how excited Kiwis are about the arrival of Netflix, and are delighted to be partnering with the Netflix team to launch in the home of 'The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug," said Matt Williams, Vodafone Consumer Director.

"We've got New Zealand's largest 4G network so our customers can have the best seat in the house on their mobile.

Vodafone said recent research had shown that 41 per cent of its customers streamed content at least once a month."

The promotional offer will be available to customers until June 30, 2015.

Netflix is kicking off its services here on March 24, in direct competition with Spark's Lightbox, Sky TV's Neon, Quickflix and Ezyflix.

Vodafone, by joining up with Netflix, is now able to better compete with its main rival Spark, which is investing heavily in its Lightbox video streaming business.

Sky Television chief executive John Fellet said today he was comfortable about the Netflix-Vodafone arrangement.

Vodafone and Sky are longtime business partners - Sky Pay TV services is packaged as part of Voafone's broadband offers.

Fellet says there was "nothing surprising" in today's news.

Fellet and Vodafone New Zealand chief executive Russell Stanners have a strong rapport and the Netflix deal appears to loosen a tight relationship between the two companies.

Netflix is staying mum on pricing plans, saying they won't be revealed until launch day.

In a press release, it said it would offer a single-stream standard definition plan, two-stream high-definition plan and four-stream 4K ultra-high definition "family" plan across a range of devices, including smart TVs, Apple devices and gaming platforms.

In America, those plans cost between US$9-$12.

Netflix will be bringing a large library of original content, including Bloodline, Daredevil, Marco Polo, Sense8 and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

But original series like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black won't be available in New Zealand, with the on-demand rights already sold to Lightbox.

Confirmed movie content includes The Matrix, Ocean's and Lord of the Rings trilogies, Happy Feet, Wedding Crashers, Cars, Monsters Inc, Up and Zoolander.

TV content includes Lost, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Broadchurch, The Tunnel and Chris Lilley comedy shoes Ja'mie: Private School Girl, Summer Heights High and We Can Be Heroes.

Full interview: Rocket Lab's Peter Beck talks satellite aspirations

From http://www.3news.co.nz/business/full-interview-rocket-labs-peter-beck-talks-satellite-aspirations-2015030306#axzz3TJKTioLQ

New Zealand-based Rocket Lab says it has completed its series B funding round, and now has investment from Bessemer Venture Partners and US aerospace giant Lockheed Martin.

The new funding means Rocket Lab could be ready to commercialise its operations from as early as next year, says founder Peter Beck.

"Bessemer Venture Partners… actively invests in space startups and Lockheed Martin, an aerospace powerhouse with a deep history in space systems, has been instrumental in all major American space endeavours over the last century," says Mr Beck. "We are thrilled to have these global space institutions as part of the Rocket Lab team."

Mr Beck hopes to make New Zealand the ninth nation to ever put a satellite into orbit. If all goes to plan, Mr Beck's company Rocket Lab will send a satellite into orbit from New Zealand by the end of the year, using its Electron rocket system  said to cost a fraction of the price of other satellite launch options.

"Rocket Lab will be the second company in the history of the planet to have put something into orbit," Mr Beck says. "It usually takes a government and a nation a decade to get it right  it's tricky, but it's important."

He says more details about the company's planned launches will be revealed in April.

"Rocket Lab's work could have application in a number of aerospace domains, and we look forward to working with them to complement our overall efforts in small lift capabilities and hypersonic flight technologies," says Lockheed Martin's chief scientist, Ned Allen.

Mr Beck was named New Zealand Innovator of the Year last week.

He says before he started Rocket Lab he had spent about a month in the United States where he realised he could only be work as "a small gear in a giant machine".

Multiple 4K HEVC 60p LIVE Over DVB-S2X & DVB-T2 at ABU-DBS 2015

From Press Release

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 02 March 2015  A live demonstration of a unique satellite (DVB-S2X) and terrestrial (DVB-T2) hybrid 4K 60p transmission system is in the works for the upcoming ABU DBS (Digital Broadcasting Symposium) 2015 Exhibition in Hotel Istana, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Village Island and Aviindos, in partnership with MEASAT Satellite Systems Sdn. Bhd. (“MEASAT”) are again pushing the limits of broadcasting standards to provide enhanced levels of quality for end users. With the new DVB-S2X capabilities, the companies will transmit via satellite two (2) 4K video ('Ultra HD') services at 60 progressive frames per second.

"It was extremely challenging to confirm all elements of the system were able to perform fully at their maximum capacity in order to achieve what we had targeted" said Jonathan Triboulet, Director of Village Island Singapore regional office. "Without the complete dedication of all partners, this demonstration would never have been possible".

The satellite transmission from MEASAT will be received via a 3m mesh-type receive antenna to be installed by Total Communication Sdn. Bhd. on the rooftop of Hotel Istana. Village Island and Aviindos will then redistribute the services in DVB-T2 as part of the live demonstration during the exhibition.
"MEASAT is excited to be part of another innovative technical demonstration that presents an enhanced broadcasting solution to our customers,” said Jarod Lopez, Vice President  Broadcast Sales, MEASAT.

“Customers using this solution will have greater bandwidth efficiency to launch and distribute 4K channels on MEASAT’s satellites.”All of the equipment required for the demonstration will be installed one day before the event. "As the local partner in Malaysia, we had the final responsibility to have the system running. The Sencore SMD989 support for DVB-S2X features out of the box, as well as Village Island's VH-4000 decoder with built-in 4K60p 10bits capability, enabled us to deploy the solution in only a few days" says Naveendran Murthy, CEO of Aviindos.

This year’s demonstration is a continuation of the project showcased at ABU 2014, in which Village Island and Aviindos first developed with MEASAT the ability to broadcast multiple 4K services over a satellite transponder.

About Aviindos

Aviindos sets its focus in providing solutions to the industry with its wide range of services, from RF & Broadcast solutions to testing, system design & integration. With over 11 years of combined experience and its business representation of technological partners from the European, North American and Japanese continent, Aviindos brings to the industry the latest technological advancement to suit the various industries’ need, for Wireless, Broadcast, Satellite, IP/VOIP/TDM, Design and Manufacturing industry.

Village Island provides a wide range of audiovisual solutions. Our core mission is the distribution of broadcast technology and products from IP core, OEM hardware, software and SDK platforms to stand-alone equipment and system for Head-Ends and digital broadcasting. The switch from analog to digital brings revolution through all the ramifications of the Communication, the Broadcast and the Audio visual industry, but more is to come in terms of continuous evolutions of the hardware platform performances, and software flexibilities and intelligence, toward an ever widening range of business applications. We propose state-of-art, affordable and flexible technology in response to the reality of our customer needs.

MEASAT is a premium supplier of satellite communication services to leading international broadcasters, Direct-To-Home (DTH) platforms and telecom operators. With capacity across six (6) communication satellites, the company provides satellite services to over 150 countries representing 80% of the world’s population across Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe and Australia.

Leveraging facilities at the MEASAT Teleport and Broadcast Centre, and working with a select group of world-class partners, MEASAT also provides a complete range of broadcast and telecommunications solutions. Services include ultra high definition, high definition and standard definition video playout, video turnaround, co-location, uplinking, broadband and IP termination services. For more information, please visit www.measat.com.

Total Communications Sdn Bhd was established in 1995 initially with the active participation of three local partners and a foreign interest. Currently, the company is 51% owned by Bumiputra interests. The primary objective of the company is to provide high performance and reliable products & engineering services in the satellite, microwave and wireless communication and broadband fields. The two most important business practices in the company are quality and service assurances, two elements of which we feel forms the core of a high performance engineering company. Therefore we are fully committed to provide high level and prompt services, whether it is during installation or post-installation service & maintenance. We take pride in developing & using the skills and knowledge of our technical personnel after the supply, installation, testing, commissioning and the maintenance of more than 2500 satellite and wireless sites throughout Peninsular and East Malaysia. We are constantly upgrading our technical competence level with guidance and assistance from our international Principals & strategic alliances.

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/03/02/nippon-tv-dvb-with-newtec/

The world’s first DVB-S2X 256APSK satellite transmission has been successfully completed by Japan-based Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) with Newtec technology.

The trial campaign saw Nippon TV transmit 5MHz bandwidth with a 256APSK carrier from a Satellite News Gathering (SNG) truck to the Superbird-B2 satellite. The transmission was successfully received at the headquarters of Nippon TV in Minato, Tokyo. The test follows Nippon TV’s interest in the new DVB-S2X modulation standard for its next-generation video network over Japan. Considering the benefit of the 5% Roll Off (RO) technology that saves satellite bandwidth, Nippon TV wanted to establish the feasibility of using this higher modulation and the associated challenges. Putting the DVB-S2X 256APSK to the test, the team used Newtec’s MDM6100 Broadcast Satellite Modem and 5MHZ bandwidth on a JSAT transponder. This is the same amount of bandwidth required for Nippon TV’s next-generation video network. 25Mbps was transmitted from the SNG using a 1.4m antenna, which was received on a 5m dish at the TV station.

“Knowing that DVB-S2X can reduce satellite bandwidth with its 5 per cent roll off technology, we wanted to test DVB-S2X 256APSK modulation on an actual satellite because it requires higher quality and link margin, which could have been a challenge for us. Following the trial, I am confident of the Superbird-B2 satellite’s ability to accommodate this modulation,” said Tetsuo Makino, Director of Engineering Technical Strategy Group at Nippon TV.

“The new DVB extension, called DVB-S2X, with improved efficiency, will enable the satellite industry to increase profitability and allow for business growth throughout all applications, from high-speed IP to broadcast,” said Dirk Breynaert, Newtec’s CTO and Co-founder.

PNG's Click TV Coverage expands with new satellite service

From http://news.pngfacts.com/2015/03/pngs-click-tv-coverage-expands-with-new.html

PAPUA New Guinea television broadcaster Click TV has launched its satellite television services to New Ireland.
The launching took place in Kavieng last Friday after the successful roll-out of satellite dishes in the province.
Managing director Richard Broadbridge said the introduction of their service in Kavieng demonstrated that Click TV was now available in any part of the country.
“We have proven that we are here to stay,” Broadbridge said.
“PNG deserves this technology and we will soon prove how it will work to improve the lives of the people by providing high quality educational, religious and entertainment programmes to every citizen.
“It’s extra special because it’s the first time that a PNG-based broadcaster has used a 1 metre satellite dish to stream content.”
The Click TV satellite dish comes in a kit with a set top box and up to 20 channels of television that includes the 2015 Pacific Games.
Click TV announced a partnership with Rural Development Services Ltd to introduce their services to remote areas of PNG using renewable energy products including solar energy.

US military satellite explodes in space after suffering 'catastrophic event'

From http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/us-military-satellite-explodes-space-after-suffering-catastrophic-event-1490154

A weather satellite providing real-time weather reports to the US Navy and Air Force shattered into 43 fragments.

The 20-year-old Defence Meteorological Satellite Progam Flight 13 (DMSP-F13) is said to have suffered a "catastrophic event", according to the US Air Force.

The satellite exploded into 43 pieces after a sudden spike in temperature, triggering an "unrecoverable loss of attitude control".

The incident was not revealed to the public even though it happened on 3 February. Details of the event were only publicised after questions were asked by the Space News website.

The first public indication of a problem with DMSP-F13 came from T.S. Kelso, a senior research astrodynamicist for Analytical Graphics' Center for Space Standards and Innovation in Colorado. He noted 25 Februrary that there had been "another debris event with 26 new pieces".

It appears we've had another debris event with 26 new pieces of debris from DMSP 5D-2 F13 launch. Analyzing circumstances now.

 T.S. Kelso (@TSKelso) February 26, 2015

DMSP-13, the oldest continuously operational satellite in the DMSP weather constellation, was in a backup role and its dramatic end is unlikely to have had a major repercussions on US weather forecasting operations.

However it is believed that there are some issues with real-time weather data transmission as a result of it no longer functioning.

The satellite was launched in 1995 and provides weather imagery to Air Force and Navy forecasters.

A new satellite is scheduled for a 2016 launch to join the other six DMSPs which are in orbit.

From http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2975401/Computer-expert-cost-Sky-TV-30-000-selling-hundreds-hacked-decoder-boxes-brother-s-eBay-account.html#reader-comments

Aron Lees used his expertise in computing to hack into Sky boxes to make a single account work multiple times, so he could sell cut price packages

A computer expert tampered with Sky TV boxes to sell pirated packages through eBay, costing the company almost £250,000.

Aron Lees, of Urmston near Manchester, used his coding expertise to hack into boxes and make one account work again and again in a technique called 'card sharing' so he could sell cut prices boxes to customers for £110 a time.

He listed the items on his brother Sean's eBay account and sold more than 300 boxes in less than a year, netting almost £30,000.

The fraud was uncovered after BSkyB investigators posed as a customer to buy a fake box and then tracked down Lees' IP address from his computer.

Sky calculated that they would have charged around £700 for each box with subscription for a year - meaning they lost around £590 on each eBay sale. Over 338 transactions were completed between March and December 2013, with a total of £28,176 deposited into qualified mechanic Sean Lees' bank account.

The company received no money from the sale of the boxes, and would have lost around £236,000 over the course of the fraud.

Aron Lees, who made around £3,000 a month from the enterprise, admitted hacking into the boxes and selling them online, contravening the copyright and patents act.

Sentencing him to a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, Judge Timothy Mort said he had used his university education in a 'good way and bad way.'

Minshull Street Crown Court heard that the frauds took place between March 2013 and December 2013 when police raided Aron Lees' home.

Jennifer Birch, prosecuting, told Minshull Street Crown Court: 'From March 2013 an eBay username under slees2012 had made 338 transactions through the sale of decoder boxes, a user name registered to Sean Lees' home address.

'In August 2013 BskyB became aware that the username slees2012 was selling satellite equipment that gave access to Sky premium packages without subscription - known as card sharing.

'This is when a legitimate Sky user has the encryption key stolen which is then shared with decoder boxes over the internet which are then added to the network.'

Under an agreement between the two companies, eBay passed details of the account used by Lees to BSkyB so they could track him down.

On December 4 2013, police raided Aron Lees' home and found dozens of decoder boxes. He admitted the fraud and his computers were seized, which even showed emails between him and customers when they complained that their boxes were malfunctioning.

Ms Birch added: 'This was a fully-functioning business. Aron Lees was interviewed and made full admissions, he accepted buying the boxes, programming them and selling them on eBay using his brother's account. He denied he would be charging customers for a renewal as they were sold on the basis of a 12-month package.'

Aron Lees, 29, admitted offering unauthorised decoders for sale contrary to the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Aron Lees used the eBay account belonging to his younger brother Sean to list the hacked Sky boxes and sold more than 300 in less than a year, making around £3,000 a month from the sophisticated fraud

A separate hearing will take place to determine how much money he must pay back from his criminal enterprise.

Sean Lees, 25, from Streford pleaded guilty to money laundering and was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work

Michael Lavery, defending said: ' It was his enterprise. It is sophisticated in the sense that most people probably could not do it because of the coding, but you can measure the sophistication in that he was using his own brother's PayPal account and email which meant it was very easy to track what he was doing.

'A sophisticated enterprise it may be in the code itself, but a sophisticated criminal premise it clearly is not.'

Lees hacked into the boxes using a method called 'card sharing' so one account could be used multiple times

Philip Barnes, defending Sean Lees, said he acted out of 'misplaced loyalty to his older brother.'

He said he initially didn't know what his brother was doing was illegal and later allowed him to continue when he found out.

Judge Mort said: 'What you did Aron Lees, it has to be said, you simply used your university education in a good way and a bad way. Having acquired your skills in computers, you bought Sky decoders and reprogrammed them so people could have Sky premium without paying the cost of it.

'Really, the nearest analogy is that it is a form of fraud so far as Sky are concerned. I'm astonished it has taken until January this year for you to be charged with the offence and the mental trauma you have been through is significant punishment.'

This week-end with the satellite feeds - Trying to get a feed that is not $ - Scrambled is getting quite a rarity - it is a shame these day's with our hobby that so many of the feeds are now encrypted especially the Cricket feeds

From http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/569245/3-5ghz-trial-step-expanding-nbn-fixed-wireless-capacity/

NBN Co, Ericsson say trial beat expectations

NBN Co and Ericsson have completed a trial of fixed wireless broadband using the 3.5GHz band, the companies announced.

The 3.5GHz band provides up to 200 MHz of spectrum and will allow NBN Co in the future to increase capacity of the National Broadband Network’s fixed wireless network in regional areas. This will complement fixed-wireless services currently delivered over NBN Co’s 2.3GHz spectrum holdings.

In the LTE TDD trial, NBN Co and Ericsson tested 3.5 GHz radio coverage and fixed-wireless service performance. The trial was carried out at two sites using a 20 MHz TDD carrier in the 3.5GHz band. Wireless termination network devices (WNTD) were provided by NetComm Wireless, based on chipset solutions provided by Sequans Communications.

NBN Co general manager of fixed wireless and satellite, Gavin Williams, applauded the results of the trial.

"We see a way forward to expand coverage and capacity to our customers in a cost effective manner using our existing LTE assets complemented with new 3.5GHz radio units,” Williams said in a statement.

In other 4G LTE news today, Telstra announced a roadmap for its wireless services that includes LTE-Advanced, LTE Broadcasting and future 5G services.

(Craig's comment, BOOO , HISSSSSSS KEEP OFF OUR CBAND!!!)

Satellite company NewSat executives' spending flies high

From http://www.smh.com.au/business/satellite-company-newsat-executives-spending-flies-high-20150227-13qcef.html#ixzz3T1ri4kAp

NewSat's sales pitch was simple. Stick with us and when Jabiru-1 is in orbit, we'll be raking it in.

The shareholders and lenders behind a listed Melbourne satellite company funded an extravagant lifestyle for senior executives who ran up a $1 million travel bill flying the world first-class, guzzling French champagne and enjoying $10,000 dinners.

Fairfax Media can reveal that NewSat's external auditors have reported concerns to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission after an internal review of the company's affairs last year uncovered uncontrolled spending and questionable transactions.

NewSat, which is headed by former Richmond Football Club director Adrian Ballintine, plans to launch Australia's first non-government, non-foreign owned satellite, the Jabiru-1, by the middle of next year.

NewSat directors Chuck Ellis (left) and Adrian Ballintine.

The company has faced a series of setbacks in recent months, with its major financier, the US government's export credit agency, threatening to withhold funding because of concerns over NewSat's governance and financial performance.

Fairfax Media has obtained a review prepared in mid-2014 for NewSat's then trio of independent directors, former St Kilda Football Club president Andrew Plympton, Australia Post deputy chairman Brendan Fleiter and Sydney advertising boss Mark Fishwick.

The review uncovered a series of questionable 2011 and 2012 payments involving hundreds of thousands of dollars by NewSat to a Gold Coast motor yacht company part-owned by Mr Ballintine and a host of other past and present NewSat board members and company advisers.

These payments, which NewSat claimed were for "marketing" expenses for its satellite project, had not been disclosed in the company's financial results despite the Corporations Act requiring them to be published because they are related-party transactions.

NewSat belatedly disclosed payments of $342,000 to Cresta Motor Yachts in its financial results published in August last year. It also revealed that $357,000 in payments on behalf of Mr Ballintine had been billed to the Jabiru project rather than the chief executive's account.

The review for the former independent directors, who resigned from NewSat's board on June 30 last year, also found " a complete lack of control" on overseas travel.

NewSat's accounts show almost $1 million was spent on travel in the past two financial years as executives tried to raise funds and sell space on the satellite.

The review found Mr Ballintine, NewSat's former investor relations manager Kahina Koucha, and other executives had enjoyed "numerous $10,000 dinners". NewSat was for a time also paying half the rent for Ms Koucha's apartment in Melbourne's Eureka Tower.

Ms Koucha, who left NewSat in June last year, has posted photographs on her Instagram account of some of NewSat's overseas sales missions. They show first-class airline cabins, lavish dinners, French champagne and exclusive hotels in New York, London, Paris and Dubai.

Fairfax Media can also reveal NewSat is facing lawsuits in the US lodged by one of its biggest customers, TrustComm, which alleges the Melbourne company perpetrated a $10 million fraud against it.

An ASIC spokeswoman would not comment on whether NewSat was being investigated.

Despite the problems facing NewSat, Mr Ballintine was well rewarded in 2014, receiving a $1.1 million salary, a $1.2 million bonus and shares valued at $1 million. NewSat also loaned him more than $900,000.

Other NewSat advisers and consultants have also received huge commission fees. One of its directors who retired last year, Chuck Ellis, was paid $900,000 over the past four years for "consultancy" work in addition to the $400,000 he earned in directors fees.

Mr Ballintine and Newsat did not respond to questions sent to them on Wednesday.

From http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/569263/inmarsat-airservices-australia-trial-new-satellite-tracking-standard/

Inmarsat to work with Qantas and Virgin Australia in developing the trial

Inmarsat has partnered Airservices Australia in the first trial of a new 15-minute tracking standard for commercial aircraft.

The announcement follows a resolution on February 6 by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to adopt a new tracking standard for commercial aircraft.

The trial will be run on flights to and from Australia.

ICAO is the United Nations body tasked with developing international civil aviation standards and recommended practices. Inmarsat is working with industry partners, Airservices Australia, Qantas and Virgin Australia in developing the operational concept for the trial, using Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Contract (ADS-C) satellite technology in Australia’s oceanic regions. Airservices Australia is the first Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) to trial the ICAO standard, utilising Inmarsat’s global flight tracking ADS-C messaging service.

ADS-C provides air traffic controllers with a constantly updated surveillance picture of their airspace, thereby allowing safe and efficient oceanic operations. 11,000 commercial passenger aircraft are already equipped with an Inmarsat satellite connection, representing over 90 per cent of the world’s long haul commercial fleet.

Airlines participating in the trial include Qantas and Virgin Australia. Inmarsat chief executive, Rupert Pearce, said it was an important step in improving international airline safety.

"We are very pleased to be working with Airservices Australia and our industry partners to implement this enhanced flight tracking service," he said. “We applaud ICAO’s decision to announce the new tracking standard and believe that we are well placed to help implement the standard given our existing global satellite coverage and the time-frame proposed.

"Inmarsat’s heritage is in safety and we stand ready to coordinate normal and abnormal flight tracking services with the airlines and the ANSPs.”

TVNZ profit drops

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11410402

Profits delivered by Government-owned broadcaster TVNZ are down year-on-year as the company failed to offset the impact of a weak advertising environment.

Despite growth in digital media and a stronger share of television advertising revenue, the company's after tax net profit dropped to to $19.8 million in the six months to December 31, down from $20.8 million in the same period the year prior.

No interim dividend was paid, nor was it at the end of the 2014 financial year.

It followed the company's decision in September 2013 TVNZ to sell a package of land and buildings to SkyCity and its extensive refurbishment of TVNZ's Victoria St headquarters.

Due to the cost involved, the shareholding ministers advised that they would forgo future dividends equivalent to the refurbishment and relocation costs, less the amount received for the buildings sold to SkyCity.

In a statement, the company said its six-month result announced today put it
on track to achieve the full year financial targets set out in its 2015 Statement of Intent.

Chief executive Kevin Kenrick said the business was moving into a strong second half, leveraging recent investments in upgrading digital technology platforms to re-launch enhanced versions of TVNZ OnDemand and onenews.co.nz.

Digital media was continuing to perform strongly and TVNZ OnDemand video streams up 38 per cent year on year - hitting a record in the month of October with over 6 million streams, Kenrick said.

Digital media revenue rose 34 per cent compared with the same period in the previous year and was buoyed by the lift in online viewing.

However, as was the case with other media groups, TVNZ's advertising revenue was down due to softer demand, Kenrick said.

The revaluation of currency hedging held at 31 December 2014 - noted in the financial report as an unrealised net foreign exchange loss of $3.6 million - also had a negative impact due to the strength of the NZ dollar.

The company's share of television advertising revenue increased slightly, from 60.9 per cent to 61.6 per cent.

Television audience share also strengthened, led by News and Current Affairs programming and peak time entertainment shows.

ONE News was the most watched programme for the period with an average total audience of more than 650,000 viewers.

Breakfast and Seven Sharp also increased audience share over the 6 months, and Sunday was the most watched current affairs show with an average audience of more than 600,000 New Zealanders per episode.

The transfer of the TVNZ archive to the Crown was also completed during the six-month period.

Boeing’s first two all-electric satellites ready for launch

From http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/03/01/boeings-first-two-all-electric-satellites-ready-for-launch/

A new class of Boeing-built spacecraft will fly into orbit for the first time Sunday aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, combining Boeing’s electric propulsion technology with SpaceX’s bargain launch prices to send up communications satellites at a fraction of the typical cost.

The launch will be SpaceX’s third Falcon 9 mission in less than three months, with two more Falcon 9s due for liftoff by mid-April.

The spacecraft mounted on top of the Falcon 9 rocket are owned by Paris-based Eutelsat and Asia Broadcast Satellite headquartered in Bermuda and Hong Kong, ready to begin missions to beam television, multimedia services, Internet traffic and other services across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Once released from the Falcon 9 rocket, the satellites will employ efficient electrically-powered engines instead of liquid fuel to reach their final operating posts 22,300 miles above the equator.

“So far, everything is going well, and knock on wood if the weather cooperates, we should have a launch on Sunday night,” said Ken Betaharon, chief technology officer at ABS.

The weather forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of favorable conditions, but meteorologists will monitor clouds for possible violations of the Falcon 9 rocket’s weather rules.

The Eutelsat and ABS satellites will launch without a supply of conventional liquid hydrazine fuel, relying entirely on electric ion engines to reshape their orbits and maintain their positions for up to two decades.

The launch marks the debut for a new lightweight satellite bus called the Boeing 702SP, which differs from other communications satellite platforms with the removal of the large fuel tank that forms the core of most spacecraft.

Half of the weight of most communications satellites is taken up with fuel, sometimes carrying up to 5,000 pounds of liquid propellant for in-space maneuvers. The innovation of the Boeing 702SP allows satellite operators to order smaller spacecraft that can host extra communications capacity to replace the mass freed up with the removal of the fuel tanks, said Mark Spiwak, president of Boeing Satellite Systems International Inc.

“One of the big drivers was cost,” Spiwak said. “We’re able to get the launch cost significantly reduced, get more payload mass to orbit, and reduce the overall cycle time of (building each satellite).”

Large satellites built by Boeing and other companies have used electric propulsion before, but the spacecraft have always carried chemical rocket fuel to supplement their ion engines.

Without the need for liquid fuel, each satellite weighs less than 5,000 pounds. Betaharon said a spacecraft with comparable capabilities would weigh more than 8,000 pounds without the all-electric propulsion system.

With the reduced weight at launch, two lighter payloads can ride into orbit together on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, which is only powerful enough to loft one large telecommunications satellite at a time.

“The real driver for that lighter solution was to be able to stack two commercial communications satellites on top of each other and provide a dual launch,” said Mike Connelly, director of Boeing’s product line for the new 702SP platform. “When you look at the mass of a satellite, with kind of a classic satellite system, it’s dominated by the fuel load of the direct-to-orbit mission.

“Going to an all-electric system, you’re able to reduce the fuel load by almost a factor of 10,” Connelly said. “That fuel load reduction allowed us to stack the satellites on top of each other, and give the customers a two-for-one deal on the launch costs.”

Eutelsat and ABS paid less than $30 million a piece to launch their satellites on the Falcon 9, officials said.

Such a low price for the launch of a communications satellite is “almost unheard of,” according to Betaharon, a satellite industry veteran with more than 35 years of experience.

The satellites are mated together inside the Falcon 9 rocket’s nose cone with a special mounting fixture patented by Boeing. The payloads connect directly to each other for the launch, and they do not require a special dual-payload adapter system used on other rockets, such as Europe’s Ariane 5 launcher, which is tailored to lift off with two satellites at a time.

The Falcon 9 rocket will blast off and turn due east from Cape Canaveral, racing across the Atlantic Ocean and climbing into the upper atmosphere before its nine-engine first stage switches off about three minutes after liftoff.

The first stage will jettison from the Falcon 9’s second stage and fall back into the Atlantic Ocean. The hefty weight of the Eutelsat and ABS satellites, coupled with the mission’s high-altitude destination, will keep the first stage booster from attempting a flyback maneuver and landing on SpaceX’s recovery barge.

SpaceX’s last two Falcon 9 rockets carried landing legs mounted on the base of the booster, but the launch vehicle for Sunday’s flight will lift off without the recovery systems.

The company is experimenting with the Falcon 9 booster to see if it can be returned to Earth intact for reuse on future missions.

The mission patch for the Falcon 9 rocket’s 16th flight with ABS 3A and Eutelsat 115 West B. Credit: SpaceX

The Merlin 1D engine on the Falcon 9 rocket’s second stage will fire two times, first to reach a temporary parking orbit less than nine minutes after launch. Once it reaches the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and space, the Falcon 9’s composite payload fairing will release from the nose of the rocket about four minutes into the mission.

After a nearly 17-minute coast, the upper stage’s Merlin engine will fire again for about one minute, then orient itself for deployment of the ABS 3A satellite riding in the upper position on the dual-payload stack.

The Eutelsat craft is programmed to separate about 30 minutes after liftoff, then the Falcon 9 stage will pivot another direction before casting off the Eutelsat 115 West B satellite five minutes later, ensuring the two spacecraft avoid colliding.

The Falcon 9 will send the satellites into an oval-shaped “supersynchronous” transfer orbit with a high point more than 27,000 miles above Earth and a low point about 250 miles up, Betaharon said.

The satellites will extend their electricity-generating solar panels after separation from the launcher to begin charging their batteries and power their ion thrusters.

Then it is up to each spacecraft to raise its orbit and adjust its inclination toward the equator, a job that will take at least six months with all-electric propulsion, rather than a couple of weeks with a conventional rocket engine.

“From an orbit-raising standpoint, the difference between a xenon-ion propulsion orbit-raising and liquid propulsion orbit-raising is really based on the thrust the engines can provide,” Connelly said.

ABS 3A, the lighter of the two satellites, should reach geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles over the equator by the end of August, Betaharon said. The Eutelsat 115 West B spacecraft will take a few weeks longer because it weighs more  a consequence of the Eutelsat satellite’s assignment to launch in the lower slot on the Falcon 9.

“With the electric thrusters, every increase in mass increases your orbit-raising time because the thrust is extremely low with these thrusters,” Betaharon said.

The lower satellite in the tandem stack is beefier to carry the load of the spacecraft riding on top.

“The advantage you get with xenon-ion is very high ISP (specific impulse, or efficiency), but the consequence is that the thrust is low and it takes longer to get from the transfer orbit to geosynchronous orbit,” Connelly said. “The basic science of the transfer orbit doesn’t change, it’s just the amount of time to get through the orbit-raising period.”

File photo of an ion thruster test firing. Credit: Boeing

The thrusters are the same as the units flown on previous Boeing satellites, and they work by consuming xenon gas, using electricity to ionize the propellant, the spitting out plasma at high speed. The thrust delivered by the four engines on each satellite is comparable to the pressure exerted by holding a piece of paper, but the upside is the thrusters can fire nearly continuously.

The xenon-ion propulsion system has flown on Boeing satellites since the 1990s, officials said, but the thrusters were previously only used to keep the spacecraft in position in geosynchronous orbit or in conjunction with liquid-fueled jets.

The extended orbit-raising phase will expose the satellites to Earth’s radiation belts for longer periods than usual. Connelly said Boeing engineers analyzed the spacecraft’s resilience to radiation, and added shielding to ensure some components on deployable appendages escape damage.

Connelly said the satellites can accommodate more than 700 pounds of xenon, which was loaded aboard the Eutelsat and ABS spacecraft before they departed Boeing’s factory in El Segundo, California, for the trip to Cape Canaveral.

The design streamlines payload processing at the launch site because the satellites do not have to be fueled with toxic propellant, cutting the time it takes to prepare the spacecraft for liftoff.

The satellites will unfurl their communications antennas while transiting from the Falcon 9’s drop-off orbit to geosynchronous altitude, where their speeds will match the rate of Earth’s rotation, causing the craft to hover over a fixed geographic point.

Then the satellites will begin two-to-four weeks of testing before entering service late this year.

ABS 3A’s destination is at 3 degrees west longitude, blanketing the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East with television programming, Internet services, cellular backhaul, and maritime communications capacity.

“If everything goes well, and we have no issues with the electric thrusters, it should be in orbit and operational around the end of August or the beginning of September timeframe and last for about 22 years,” Betaharon said.

The ABS payload hosts 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders, replacing and extending communications coverage currently provided by the ABS 3 satellite, which launched in 1997 and is nearing the end of its life.

“Virtually every geographic market you can see from that location, we are covering it with C- and Ku-band,” Betaharon said. “Also, the Ku-band beam covering Europe allows us to have a trans-Atlantic coverage from Europe to North America. That can be used for navigation or for other in-flight connections.

“Every service you can imagine that can be provided via satellite can be provided with this one,” Betaharon said. “We’ve got a very high-performance satellite, and the beams are very powerful, and some of the capacity is already spoken for ahead of time.”

The Eutelsat 115 West B satellite will slide into a parking slot at 114.9 degrees west longitude over Latin America.

“The launch of the next-generation Eutelsat 115 West B satellite is a milestone that will position us as a major satellite operator across the continent,” said Patricio Northland, CEO of Eutelsat Americas.” It will transform the 114.9 degrees west orbital position that is already a neighborhood of choice for fast-growing high-speed data and mobility markets in North and South America.”

Eutelsat acquired the spacecraft launching Sunday with the French operator’s purchase of Mexico’s Satmex in 2014. Satmex originally negotiated the satellite’s manufacturing and launch deals with Boeing, SpaceX and ABS in 2012.

“This satellite will address data services, including broadband access, cellular backhaul, VSAT solutions and social connectivity,” said Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat.

The new satellite  fitted with 34 Ku-band and 12 C-band transponders  will replace a former Satmex spacecraft launched in December 1998 and reach customers in a wide swath of the Americas from Alaska to Patagonia. It also carries an instrument package for the Federal Aviation Administration to improve air navigation over the United States.

Eutelsat says it is the first of five new spacecraft the company expects to launch this year.

For telecom operators, going with an all-electric satellite design is a trade that could make sense for spacecraft on the smaller end of the mass spectrum. For larger satellites with power-hungry communications missions, chemical propulsion is still a viable solution, Spiwak said.

“The economics are quite attractive, but the businesses cases and schedules need to match up regarding mass, payload accommodations and other things,” Spiwak said.

Airbus Defense and Space has unveiled its own all-electric satellite design since Boeing announced its new platform in 2012. Airbus has sold three of its all-electric satellites in the last year, and Spiwak said Boeing has confirmed commercial orders for five all-electric Boeing 702SP satellites, including the spacecraft set for launch Sunday.

Boeing officials also disclosed last year the company had sold three satellites with only electric propulsion to the U.S. government for classified missions.

Eutelsat, ABS, Boeing and SpaceX are teaming up for a nearly identical launch of two more satellites on a Falcon 9 rocket before the end of 2015.

The other all-electric satellites being built by Boeing have not been assigned to a launch vehicle. One of the new-design Airbus satellites with a plasma propulsion system will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, and the other two are contracted to lift off on Ariane 5 rockets in 2017.

“We’re on contract for these first ones with SpaceX, but different launch vehicle providers are looking at how to accommodate the stacks,” Spiwak said, adding the platform is compatible with the Ariane 5, Proton, Falcon 9, Atlas 5 and Delta 4 rockets.

“We’re not married to SpaceX,” Spiwak said. “It fits very well on the SpaceX Falcon 9, and there’s some great economics associated with that. But we can launch on any launch vehicle that the customer is able to procure or if they want us to procure it, we’ll go after that and see what fits.”

Russia's Yamal-601 Teleco Sat to b launched in 2018

From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russias_Yamal_601_Telecommunications_Satellite_to_Be_Launched_in_2018_999.html

The Khrunichev Space Center and Gazprom Space Systems reached a deal on Wednesday to launch Russia's new Yamal-601 satellite in 2018.

Yamal-601 will provide telecommunications services to customers in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia.

The satellite will be launched by the Proton-M carrier rocket, and is set to replace the Yamal-202 at the end of its operational lifetime.

The two companies also agreed on a 15-year cooperation deal.

"We created a whole series of proposals, which were welcomed by our client, and we ended up with a mutually beneficial cooperation agreement for 15 years. Our strategic partnership shows that changes in the Khrunichev Center are going in the right direction," the center's acting CEO Andrey Kalinovsky told reporters.

The Moscow-based Khrunichev State Research and Production Space Center is one of the world's leading launch system producers.

JSC Gazprom Space Systems develops and operates satellites, as well as ground telecommunications infrastructure. The company is majority owned by Russian energy giant Gazprom.

Aereo bankruptcy auction raises less than $2m

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/27/75842/

Internet entertainment streaming service Aereo, which late November 2015 filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 reorganisation in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, has garnered less than $2m from an auction of company’s assets, despite suggesting at the time there was “very substantial interest in the assets”.

Aereo suspended its operations June 28th 2015 following the Supreme Court copyright decision in favour of US broadcasters.

“We are very disappointed with the results of the auction. This has been a very difficult sales process and the results reflect that,” William Baldiga, counsel for Aereo and partner at Brown Rudnick said in a statement.

Advanced television technology specialist TiVo has secured Aereo’s trademark, customer lists, among other assets, and the company’s patent portfolio was bought by RPX Corporation. Alliance Technologies has bought Aereo’s equipment.

Aereo has retained some of its assets for a potential later sale.

Belgian card-sharers further penalised

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/27/belgian-card-sharers-further-penalised/

In a joint card-sharing case brought by a number of members of audiovisual anti-piracy body AAPA, the court of appeal of Liège (Belgium) has upheld the decision of the court of first instance (in Dinant) and increased the penalty for an illegal card sharing network operator and his accomplice.

The operator of the card-sharing network hosted approximately 400 users and advertised his card sharing services through eBay in conjunction with the sale of specifically adapted decoders. An accomplice also sold subscriptions to the operator’s network in exchange for a percentage of the subscription fee. The Court of Appeal analysed in detail the card-sharing system and declared the system to be illegal and contrary to EU law and its national implementing measures.

At first instance, the card sharing network operator had been sentenced to 150 hours of community service (or a six months jail sentence) by the criminal court of Dinant. The card sharing network operator appealed this decision and the Court of Appeal of Liège has now confirmed the infringement and increased the penalty to 250 hours of community service (or an 18 months jail sentence) and a fine of €1,800 (or an additional three months of imprisonment).

The accomplice was convicted by default to a sentence of five months imprisonment, and a fine of €550.

In addition, the Court of Appeal declared the income generated by the illegal practices forfeited (the amount was capped by the court) and awarded damages to the AAPA members that had brought the claim.

During police investigations it was established that since the start of the network in 2007, the operator had earned over €100,000 from the illegal activities. The investigative judge found links between card sharing networks in Belgium, France and Russia. The investigation also showed that the card sharing operator had filed false declarations of theft with pay-TV providers after the cards used for the card sharing network had been seized by the Belgian police.

Christine Maury Panis, Vice-President of AAPA and Executive Vice-President and General Counsel of Viaccess-Orca, said the case was a first, involving a joint action by most of the major pay-TV operators and conditional access providers in Europe. “Although the legal process has been at times slow, the result is positive. The decision provides an unambiguous and strong signal to courts, prosecutors and pirates that card sharing is clearly illegal and subject to severe and significant sentences. AAPA will continue to facilitate collaboration amongst its members in the fight against piracy, whether for card sharing cases or for streaming or for new areas such as cloud piracy. It will also continue to work with enforcement agencies, EU institutions and others to ensure that there is greater awareness of audiovisual piracy,” she confirmed.

The judgement is still subject to appeal to the Supreme Court on points of law.

ISRO proposes to launch 10 satellites every year

From http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/isro-proposes-to-launch-10-satellites-every-year/article6950091.ece

S.K. Shivakumar, Director, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bengaluru, speaking at the Science Day celebrations at Sona College of Technology in Salem on Sunday. PHOTO: E. LAKSHMI NARAYANAN

Taking a big step in space exploration, the Indian Space Research Organisation has proposed to launch 10 satellites every year beginning 2015, said S.K. Shivakumar, Director, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bengaluru, here on Sunday.

Speaking at the Science Day celebrations at Sona College of Technology, he said that currently five satellites are launched by India every year of which most of the satellites are for our own use. “We need to expand our space programme and hence, planned for 10 launches from this year,” he added.

He said that India had launched 72 satellites from 1975 till date and the 73{+r}{+d}satellite for navigation is scheduled for March 9 launch. The scientist behind the successful Mars Orbiter Mission said “solving technology challenges in each state, micro level planning, multi-level review and collaborative engineering efforts of all ISRO centres is the success behind our space programme.” He called upon each engineering student to contribute for the nation’s growth through their innovative skills and asked them to be technically updated.

“ISRO welcomes students from all engineering streams as tremendous opportunities are available,” he added. When a student asked why satellites were launched from foreign countries, he said that “it was to exhibit our calibre and strength to foreign nations.”

C. Valliappa, Chairman, Sona Group of Institutions, said that the college is carrying out research for supplying a component for Chandrayaan 2 mission to the ISRO.

He explained the institution’s contribution in supplying various components for ISRO’s earlier missions.

Transmission issues will not be a problem following the proposed separation of Fiji TV and Sky Pacific.

Parent company Fijian Holdings Ltd has made known its intention to split Sky Pacific from Fiji TV.

FHL Chief Executive Nouzab Fareed says with the on-set of digital transmission expected this year, Sky Pacific’s transmission needs will be taken care-of.

Fareed says there are a lot of weaknesses in Sky Pacific in terms of marketing their product and growing the business.

He also says Sky Pacific will be able to do more as a company with its own management team, rather than a division of Fiji TV.

Fareed also confirms that once the divestment is finalized, they intend to pour more money into Sky Pacific and there is a possibility of finding a strategic partner.

Fiji Television, through its Fiji One brand will focus on news and local programmes.

All the changes proposed by Fiji TV are subject to shareholders approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting in Suva next month.

Click TV rolls out in PNG

From http://news.pngfacts.com/2015/02/click-tv-rolls-out-in-png.html

At the end of the day, CLICK TV, which is owned and operated by CLICK PACIFIC LIMITED, aims to offer Papua New Guineans a CHOICE in enjoying a variety of new and improved channels in their households, especially in some of the remotest parts of the country.
Managing Director Richard Broadbridge says CLICK TV offers more than just 24 channels, with the inclusion of some of the best quality deliverance and production of TV advertisements that are currently being aired on KUNDU 2 and EMTV.

Mr Broadbridge has 20 years experience in Television having experience as Fiji TV’s Head of News and Sky Pacific’s Head of Content until 2003. His experience in content acquisition has seen him acquire NRL, FIFA Rugby League World Cups, IRB’s 7’s Series and two Ruby World Cups and distributed these events to Mai TV, Fiji, Kundu 2 PNG, EMTV and several TV stations across the Pacific.

CLICK TV offers channels such as Fight Sports, Edge Sports, Sky News and Sports, Comedy Central, Trace Urban and AXN to areas within Port Moresby and Central Province (Korobosea, Boroko, Hohola, Waigani, Saraga, Gordon, Tokarara, Koki, Tubuserea, Barakau, Gaire, Gabagaba and Sabuia) and will soon have an exclusive channel for the live broadcast of the 2015 Pacific Games as it is the exclusive PNG PAY TV broadcaster of the games.
At the same time, CLICK TV Pacific launched satellite services and have begun to install its satellite receiving kits around the country, this consists of a 1 metre satellite dish, set top box and up to 20 channels of television including the 2015 Pacific Games.

“ CLICK TV is available in PNG to compliment content producers and all broadcasters who wish to share its platform, we have expressed an interest to both EMTV and KUNDU TV to carry their channels to 100% of PNG and we are awaiting a response from both network,” said Broadbridge.
For those outside of Port Moresby, CLICK TV is now branching out its new DIGITAL SATELITE SERVICE, with all 24 channels, anywhere in PNG. The first Province to receive this will be KAVIENG this Friday, while Lae viewers will be able to access CLICK TV next week.

26/02/15

PowerVu Hack status update, There is now a software decryption "Emulator" plugin for Eyetv called "EyeTVEmu" (for Apple Mac machines) that will decode Powervu encrypted services. There is no magic free meal here, it still requires the decryption keys of the service you wish to view. It is only a matter of time before such software also appears on Linux type satellite receivers and more widespread piracy of PowerVU services occur.

From http://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/sky-news-worth-more-than-25-million-says-david-gyngell-20150226-13p98g.html

Sources close to Sky News operator Australian News Channel say it is unlikely to be sold to News Corp Australia for $25 million Photo: Lucy Nicholson

Nine Entertainment Co chief executive David Gyngell says Sky News is worth more than the $25 million News Corporation is reported to have offered for the pay-TV news channel's parent company Australian News Channel.

Speaking after Nine reported its half year results and plans to buy back up to $150 million worth of Nine shares, Mr Gyngell indicated however that he was open to a potential sale of Nine's third stake in ANC.

The other two-thirds are shared between Seven West Media and Britain's Sky, which, is 39.3 per cent owned by News Corp's sister company 21st Century Fox.

The Australian reported on Thursday morning that Sky News has been seen as a natural fit for News Corp. Photo: Sky News

Mr Gyngell said that, in making an indicative offer now, News Corp was pre-empting the expiry in 2017 of Sky News's carriage deal with Foxtel (which is owned by News Corp and Telstra)

"News (Corp) envisage that they would like to do it themselves, which is understandable, I am not too concerned about that," said Mr Gyngell, who added that he had a very strong sense of the value of Nine's own news brands and his ability to exploit them on other platforms.

He said he was not across the full details but added: "The prices I saw today do not represent fair value for what I think Sky is going to be worth and continue to be worth to pay TV. But no one expects anyone first off to pay overs for something."

News Corp has written to ANC's three owners  Seven West Media, Nine Entertainment Co and Britain's Sky  seeking to commence discussions about a potential buyout.

The value of Sky News, which is almost 20 years old and now employs more than 200 staff, depends to a large extent on its carriage deal with Foxtel, which expires in 2017.

As that end date approaches the value of the business will diminish, giving all the sides involved an incentive to commence discussions about whether to continue investing in the business or sell out.

News Corp newspaper The Australian reported on Thursday morning that Sky News has been seen as a natural fit for News Corp in Australia, noting that News' titles such as The Daily Telegraph in Sydney and the Herald Sun in Melbourne, have websites that increasingly integrate video content.

News Corp and Seven both declined to comment.

Stan Is Giving Subscribers Access To Cheap Chromecasts

From http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/02/stan-is-giving-subscribers-access-to-cheap-chromecasts/

Australia is in a streaming renaissance right now. Between Presto, Stan and the impending launch of Netflix, it’s time to get your living room in order so you can lap up the streaming goodness. Stan is helping out with that by giving subscribers access to discounts on Chromecast to kickstart your home streaming setup.

Stan emailed its subscribers last night, offering each and every one of them $10 off a Chromecast, as well as free delivery when ordered via Dick Smith.

Everyone gets their own unique code, meaning that only existing customers are able to take up the offer for now. We’ve asked Stan if new customers will get access to a similar offer, but we’re yet to hear back at the time of writing.

Stan supports both the Google Cast and the Apple Airplay protocols for streaming stuff to your TV, much like Netflix. Foxtel’s Presto service also allows you to stream stuff to your TV, but only over Google Cast right now.

Nine Entertainment  a parent of Stan  revealed in its results presentation today that the service is attracting big user numbers. Nine says that the service is “on track for over 100,000 sign-ups by mid-March”, meaning that “subscriber numbers and trends [are] running 3-4 months ahead of expectations”.

Nine also revealed that new channels and delivery methods would be announced soon.

From http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/nsw/vision-australia-takes-tv-networks-to-the-australian-human-rights-commission-20150225-13nry5.html

Major television networks are the subject of complaints to be lodged in the Australian Human Rights Commission on Thursday, in action launched by Vision Australia.

Vision Australia, which represents the rights of people who are blind or have low vision, is arguing that the networks should provide an audio description service in the same way they screen captions for the deaf.

Free to air channels Seven, Nine, Ten and SBS have been named in the action along with pay TV broadcaster Foxtel. There is already a separate action against the ABC in the Human Rights Commission.

There are about 350,000 Australians with low vision or blindness with Vision Australia's general manager of advocacy and engagement Maryanne Diamond saying it's a myth they don't watch television.

"A lot of people think that when you're blind, you wouldn't watch TV but that's not true, particularly for older people," she said. "They don't feel as confident going out, so they tend to stay in and TV is a form of companionship for those who live alone."

Broadcasters in the UK, the US, New Zealand and a number of European countries provide audio description, with the BBC making 20 per cent of its content accessible to the blind.

"If you live in the UK you can watch Home and Away, audio described, but you can't do so here," Ms Diamond said.

Edward Santow, chief executive of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre which represents Vision Australia in the complaints, said Australia is lagging behind other countries.

Vision Australia is asking the networks to provide audio description for 14 hours of programming a week, which would cost each network an estimated $750,000 a year.

Networks have no legal obligation to provide audio captions under the Broadcasting Services Act.

"We would say there is a general obligation under the Disability Discrimination Act," Mr Santow said.

A trial of audio description on ABC1 in 2012 won strong support but a Department of Communications report found that some receivers reacted adversely to the audio description signal.

The ABC will run a trial of audio description on its iView service for 15 months from April, providing 14 hours of audio captioned content per week.

Free TV, which represents the free-to-air networks, did not respond to Fairfax Media's inquires

Optus' Satellite Phone Accessory Is Now Available For iPhone 6

From http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2015/02/optus-satellite-phone-accessory-is-now-available-for-iphone-6/

Remote Australians and Russel Coight wannabes take note: the Optus Thuraya SatSleeve satellite phone accessory is now available for the iPhone 6. The device enables you to turn your iPhone into a satellite phone with the click of a button; handy if you’re outside of mobile range and need to make a call in a hurry.

As its name implies, Optus’ Thuraya SatSleeve is a phone case, or “sleeve” that transforms a regular smartphone into a satellite phone. The device is available on the Samsung Galaxy S5, S4 and S3 as well as the iPhone 5s, 5, 4s and 4. Today marks its debut on the iPhone 6.

When stuck in remote areas with no mobile coverage, customers can still access voice, SMS and data functionality from the SatSleeve when within range of the satellite. The SatSleeve attaches to the back of your phone and can be controlled via the SatSleeve app, which can be downloaded free of charge.

It comes with an inbuilt SOS button that allows users to make calls to a pre-programmed number, even if the iPhone is not connected to the SatSleeve. You can still use your phone’s contacts list as normal while connected to the SatSleeve.

A single Thuraya SatSleeve unit will set you back $800. You’ll also need to buy a separate handset adaptor which can cost up to $100 depending on the type of phone you own. This is a pretty steep asking price and actually exceeds many standalone satellite phones. Nevertheless, it’s a small price to pay if your car breaks down in the middle of the Nullarbor.

Sky Pacific Manager Resigns

From http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/27253/sky-pacific-manager-resigns

The Manager for Sky Pacific, a subsidiary of Fiji Television has resigned.

The decision by Nitesh Lal to leave, was announced to staff at the Fiji TV Suva office this afternoon.

FBC News has also confirmed that the Pay TV arm will become a separate entity from the parent company from July 1st subject to an Extraordinary General Meeting next month.

It’s believed Fiji TV is already in talks with a number of strategic partners in this regard.

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11408514

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) " Argentina's Congress on Wednesday approved the installation of a Chinese satellite tracking station in the South American country's Patagonia region.

The measure passed in the lower house with 133 votes in favor and 107 against. Opposition lawmakers questioned the possible military use of the base and a tax exemption that will benefit the station for 50 years.

President Cristina Fernandez's government has said the project is part of China's plans to reach the moon in 2020.

The satellite station being built in southern Neuquen province is China's first outside the country for its space exploration program. It will be used for monitoring and downloading data through an antenna with a 115-foot (35-meter) diameter. It's expected to cost $300 million and will be operational in 2016.

As part of the agreement, Argentina will be able to access at least 10 percent of the antenna's available time to develop research projects.

Argentina launched its first domestically built communications satellite last year. The ARSAT-1 satellite was the first to be constructed with local technology in Latin America.

25/02/15

As mentioned back on the 16th there is a Free to Air 4K ultra HD signal up on Asiasat 4 @122.2E

Details are

4120 H Sr 29720 Fec 5/6 DVBS2 8psk, Using Hevc H265 Video. If you record the the transport Stream VLC and various other players should be able to give you pictures. However, it will require a great deal of processor or graphics processing power to get a full framerate playback. Send an email if you get it up and running

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/25/australian-consumers-anti-piracy-scheme-scary/

Australian consumer advocacy body CHOICE has launched a campaign encouraging consumers to help educate the Minister for Communications, Malcolm Turnbull about the need for consumer protections in a proposed industry-run anti-piracy ‘education’ notice scheme.

On February 20, the entertainment industry, in partnership with Internet Service Providers, proposed what CHOICE describes as “a heavy-handed” scheme targeting consumers who they believed have breached their copyright.

“Mr Turnbull needs to step in and rewrite the script on this horror scheme to make it suitable for public viewing. Passing the buck and letting big business drive average Australians into the court system will leave the majority of the community shivering in their seats. The scheme also forces Internet Service Providers to act as an anti-piracy police force on behalf of Hollywood rights holders, handing over personal contact details on the basis of unproven allegations,” she added,

CHOICE is calling on the Minister for Communications to ensure that the final scheme includes, at a minimum:

Limits on the total amount of damages that can be sought by copyright owners;

A genuinely independent tribunal for consumers who want to appeal a notice, with no cost for lodging an appeal;

A requirement for rights holders to tell consumers where they can legally access the content that they allegedly pirated; and

A requirement that rights-holders are responsible for any costs, instead of increasing costs for every single Australian Internet user to fund an ineffective policy.

“We are particularly concerned about who will bear responsibility for the scheme’s costs, as this is not made clear in the horror first draft. If ISPs end up paying the lion’s share of administration costs, these are likely to be passed on to their consumers. We don’t think consumers should be footing the bill for an ineffective industry initiative,” she concluded.

Australian consumers are being encouraged to sign a notice to ‘Help educate Malcolm’

RT TV channel has expanded its presence in Australia

From http://sputniknews.com/asia/20150224/1018688137.html

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  RT TV channel has expanded its presence on cable and satellite networks, launching broadcasts on Foxtel, the largest television platform in Australia, the channel's press service said Tuesday.

RT is now available to more than six million viewers in Australia.

"Until recently RT has been available in Australia in an open access from the satellite, now the channel appeared in the network of the largest local platform Foxtel," the channel's editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan was quoted in the press release as saying.

Simonyan added that at least a quarter of the Australian population would now be able to "evaluate the quality of our television content fancied by hundreds of millions of viewers around the world."

The Foxtel company operates cable and satellite television, as well as IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) services in Australia.

"Foxtel is delighted to now include RT to our comprehensive slate of international news channels which will provide our subscribers with an even broader perspective on major global events," Foxtel's Executive Director of Television, Brian Walsh, said in a statement published on the company's website.

According to Walsh, RT is "an important voice in bringing another perspective to world affairs, with an impressive roster of compelling programmes from award winning journalists."

RT television network includes three 24/7 news channels broadcasting from Moscow in English, Arabic and Spanish in more than 100 countries around the world, as well as RT America and RT UK channels broadcasting from their own studios in Washington and London. The network also includes the documentary channel RTD and global news video agency RUPTLY offering exclusive content to channels around the globe. RT is available around-the-clock to 700 million international viewers.

TVNZ Launches Enhanced TVNZ OnDemand Powered by Brightcove

From http://www.marketwatch.com/story/tvnz-launches-enhanced-tvnz-ondemand-powered-by-brightcove-2015-02-24

New Zealand’s largest broadcaster adds new premium on-demand programming, enhanced device support and more personalised viewing experiences built on the Brightcove Video Cloud online video platform

SYDNEY, Feb 24, 2015 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Brightcove BCOV, -5.26% a leading global provider of cloud services for video, today announced that TVNZ, New Zealand’s largest broadcaster, has relaunched its on-demand video service, TVNZ OnDemand, powered by the Brightcove Video Cloud online video platform. The new TVNZ OnDemand features new exclusive programming, as well as enhanced support for viewing across desktops, iOS and Android apps and Samsung Smart TV devices. Additionally, Brightcove enables TVNZ to provide a more personalised viewing experience, as viewers can set watch lists and receive recommendations for other interesting content.

“We are proud to say our new TVNZ OnDemand service is one of the best in its class,” said Jason Foden, General Manager, OnDemand at TVNZ. “With Brightcove, we are able to increase the reach of TVNZ OnDemand across a range of different devices and provide a more customised experience for our viewers, delivering them the content they want, wherever they want it.”

TVNZ, a Brightcove customer since 2011, initially launched TVNZ OnDemand in 2007. Since then, the service has continued to grow, recording a peak of 6.3 million streams in October 2014. At the end of 2014, total viewership for the service grew by 50% year over year, according to TVNZ.

With the relaunch, TVNZ OnDemand will continue to showcase the content viewers are passionate about, including some of New Zealand’s favourite shows like Shortland Street, The Big Bang Theory and ONE News, as well as new exclusive content, such as Shortland Street webisodes. With Brightcove Video Cloud, TVNZ will also be able to deliver pause and resume functionality, allowing viewers to start watching an episode on one device and continue on another at a later time, as well as personalised features like watchlists and recommended content.

TVNZ will also be able to provide a high quality viewing experience across devices thanks to the Brightcove Smart Player, as well as Brightcove’s mobile SDKs and robust APIs. Additionally, TVNZ is taking advantage of Video Cloud’s advanced transcoding features as well as built-in support for digital rights management to ensure content is protected. And with Video Cloud’s advanced monetisation features and integration with third party ad technology providers, such as DoubleClick, TVNZ is able to deliver advertising-supported video experiences across devices.

“TVNZ continues to be at the forefront of innovation amongst broadcasters around the world,” said Mark Blair, vice president of Asia-Pacific for Brightcove. “We are proud of our long-standing partnership with TVNZ and have been able to work closely with the organization to drive a successful relaunch of TVNZ OnDemand. The result is a world-class service that will give TVNZ viewers the best possible viewing experience for years to come.”

Brightcove is continuing to work with TVNZ to develop better on-demand solutions. TVNZ’s next focus will be to re-launch the PlayStation app on both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 consoles, while also planning to launch on HbbTV later in the year.

About Brightcove

Brightcove Inc. BCOV, -5.26% is a leading global provider of powerful cloud solutions for delivering and monetizing video across connected devices. The company offers a full suite of products and services that reduce the cost and complexity associated with publishing, distributing, measuring and monetizing video across devices. Brightcove has more than 5,500 customers in over 70 countries that rely on the company’s cloud solutions to successfully publish high-quality video experiences to audiences everywhere. To learn more, visit http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.brightcove.com&esheet=51046332&newsitemid=20150224006300&lan=en-US&anchor=www.brightcove.com&index=2&md5=fa62edb61028f5ce283820afa0f5ef9c.

This press release may include forward-looking statements regarding anticipated objectives, growth and/or expected product and service developments or enhancements. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the following words (among others): "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "plan," "should" or "anticipates," or comparable words and their negatives. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees but are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations contained in these statements. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K. Brightcove assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release in the event of changing circumstances or otherwise, and such statements are current only as of the date they are made.

(Craig's comment, check that last line? "TVNZ’s next focus will be to re-launch the PlayStation app on both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 consoles, while also planning to launch on HbbTV later in the year."........are TVNZ / Freeview about to dump MHEG?)

[SatNews] On February 19, 2015 Express-AM7 telecommunication space device and complex of service equipment were delivered to Yubileyny airfield complex where all necessary customs procedures were accomplished. At the present time the satellite is kept in the integration building of number 50 launchpad where it will be prepared for the launch.

The launch of Proton-M booster with Briz-M upper stage and Express-AM7 satellite is scheduled for March 19, 2015.

Express-AM7 space device was manufactured by EADS Astrium on the order of Space Communication Federal Unitary Enterprise. The satellite is designed to provide broadcasting and telecommunication services.

Three years ago Airbus Defence and Space was awarded two contracts from the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC) for the delivery of two telecommunications satellites, Express AM4R and Express AM7.

Express AM-7 delivered to Balkonur

Express AM7, based on Airbus Defence and Space’s highly reliable Eurostar E3000 platform, Express AM7 is a new satellite with similar design and a payload adapted to a mission at 40 degrees E to extend RSCC’s capacity at that orbital position. Express AM7 will have a communications payload of 62 active transponders (24 in C-band, 36 in Ku-band, two in L-band).

It will provide high-performance coverage over the Russian Federation and the Commonwealth of Independent States countries and adjoining regions, and will be also equipped with steerable antennas which can provide communication to any point on Earth within the satellite’s range of view.

CABSAT: The lowdown

From http://www.digitalproductionme.com/article-8590-cabsat-the-lowdown/

CABSAT 2015 looks set for a stellar show. The event will include conferences and training sessions, satellite talks, the all-new Content Market Place featuring MBC Group and Stargate Studios, and an enlarged content delivery hub  a key attraction for exhibitors specialising in anywhere and everywhere connected content platforms.

“With the total advertising spend in entertainment and media across the Middle East and Africa due to increase from $43.5 billion in 2014 to $65.9 billion in 2018, CABSAT 2015 provides a dedicated industry platform for regional media companies to absorb innovation-driven, best-practice business strategies to enhance their products for the benefit of viewers and consumers,” said Trixie LohMirmand, senior VP, exhibitions and events management, DWTC. “Research shows that emerging markets are due to surpass established markets in digital universe percentage share by 2020.

With CABSAT 2015 due to welcome more than 900 exhibitors from 60 countries, the show will boast an expanded conference format featuring the second annual CABSAT & NAB Show Collaborative Conference and the inaugural Middle East Post-Production Training

The CABSAT & NAB Show Collaborative Conference will be opened by Corey Bridges - one of the original directors who launched Netflix in the USA, the founder of Multiverse, the CEO of Lifemap Solutions, and a member of the Producers Guild of America.

He is also a former VP of marketing and CMO of Hollywood visionary James Cameron’s firm CAMERON | PACE Group (CPG) and an advisor on the board of South by South West - a series of Texas-based film, interactive and music festivals and conferences.

Bridges will use a keynote address to highlight his experiences building disruptive and innovative content companies such as Netflix and James Cameron’s 3D technology company

CABSAT and NAB Show, two of the biggest industry show brands in their field, have again collaborated on a world-class electronic media conference programme covering the latest disruptive and converging trends in all filmed entertainment and digital media content, as well as connecting live content opportunities across the MEASA markets.

The introduction of a specialist post-production conference supports CABSAT 2014’s post-show survey results, where a significant proportion of exhibitors stated ‘seeing technical and engineering professionals’ as the most important factor in judging show participation ROI  the second ranked buyer audience request in 2014.

Elsewhere, the CABSAT Content Market Place  a new dedicated zone for creators, distributors and broadcasters of filmed entertainment content to showcase ‘Pay-TV’ and ‘Free-to-Air’ content offerings - will showcase multiscreen and second screen capabilities and associated monetisation opportunities.

Primarily a content, distribution and exchange platform, the Content Market Place is aimed at MEASA’s third party channel suppliers including Cable, Telco’s, advertising agencies, Satellite content providers, ‘Pay-TV’ and ‘Free-to-Air’ operators, and all international broadcasters, TV channel owners and content owners.

With global Over-the-Top (OTT) streaming video on demand estimated to reach US$22.7 billion by 2018 - up from US$6.5 billion in 2013 - the Content Delivery Hub will be expanded to a full hall in 2015 with more than 60 exhibitors taking part in three days of live discussions relating to IPTV, OTT and online digital platforms, solutions and services with a supporting ‘live connected’ demo theatre.

The Content Studio Hub and CABSAT TV are also back to provide live feeds, social media updates, on-site interviews and daily event highlights with 40+ global and regional speakers and 900+ exhibitors, with dedicated live interviews and news feeds being broadcast directly from the show floor across a network of more than 12 screens and through the official CABSAT website.

SpeedCast announces Geolink acquisition

From http://www.itwebafrica.com/network/333-africa/234219-speedcast-announces-geolink-acquisition

Global satellite communications service provider SpeedCast International Limited ("SpeedCast") has announced the acquisition of Geolink Satellite Services, a leading provider of satellite communications solutions in the African region, and part of the CETel Group. The closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

According to a media release the acquisition will strengthen SpeedCast's fast growing services for the energy and maritime sectors, enhance its portfolio of mobile satellite solutions, and bolster its capabilities in the African region.

Geolink Satellite Services ("Geolink") is a leading provider of satellite solutions in the African market and has strong positions in the maritime industry. The company services customer requirements in over 20 African countries, with key customers in the oil & gas, mining, media, NGO and maritime sectors.

The Company specialises in mobile satellite solutions, as well as fixed VSAT solutions, in the increasingly important African market. The company also has experience providing services to the media industry in Europe. Geolink is based in Paris, France and works with a network of technical partners throughout Africa, in addition to the company's own field engineering team, for the support of its solutions.

The media statement reads, "with this acquisition, SpeedCast significantly enhances its capabilities to serve and support its customers in the African market, a key area of operations for the energy sector. The acquisition will benefit SpeedCast's existing customer base, as SpeedCast is experiencing a growing number of requests for services in Africa from its Asia-Pacific customers. Further, the African continent continues to be a growth spot for VSAT services and therefore represents a new potential source of growth for SpeedCast. Last but not least the Geolink acquisition adds to SpeedCast's growing leadership in providing services to the maritime sector."

Says Pierre-Jean Beylier, CEO of SpeedCast, "With the Geolink acquisition, SpeedCast expands its presence and its capabilities in the African market. Geolink uniquely complements SpeedCast's business with great strength in mobile satellite services, extensive experience in and satellite coverage over Africa, and strong customer base in the energy and maritime sectors. There are interesting synergies between the two companies, which will further enhance our ability to deliver complete end-to-end solutions to our respective customers globally."

"Joining SpeedCast, Geolink will now be able to offer its customers a wider portfolio of products and services and better serve its customers' needs worldwide," the statement continues.

"We look forward to joining SpeedCast, a leader in satellite communications services," said Christophe Pacilly, CEO of Geolink. "With SpeedCast's experience and infrastructure, we believe that Geolink will have the opportunity to drive further growth and even better meet the needs of our customers in the oil & gas, maritime, NGO, media and government verticals." Geolink's management team will remain with the SpeedCast group.

The acquisition follows SpeedCast's successful acquisitions of two established satellite industry players, SatComms Australia and Oceanic Broadband, in the Australasia region in the past 12 months.

[SatNews] TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS) announced that TCS has been awarded approval by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to add O3b Networks satellite products and services to TCS' IT Schedule 70 contract. The GSA IT Schedule 70 is the largest, most widely used acquisition vehicle in the federal government, providing direct access to products, services and solutions to federal, state and local government agencies.

TCS became an O3b Networks channel partner in 2014, providing O3b's high-performance, next-generation satellite products and services to U.S. government and commercial customers. It has expanded its product and service offerings by making O3b's satellite products and services available to local, state and federal government organizations such as; Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Commerce for FirstNet, through its GSA IT Schedule 70 contract.

TCS Government Solutions Group President, Mike Bristol said, "O3b's game-changing satellite technology delivers higher capacity and lower latency at more affordable prices than legacy GEO satellites that typically preclude true high throughput, long haul, transport of data out of austere locations, thereby leaving a large sector of potential customers underserved. Through TCS' GSA contracts, we will now be able to further leverage our partnership with O3b, allowing us to offer a more affordable satellite alternative to our federal, state and local government customers."

O3b EVP Government Solutions, "D" D'Ambrosio said, "TCS brings a tremendous level of value to our partnership because of their expertise and history of providing mission-critical products and services to the aerospace, military, public safety, and industrial markets. We're excited to help TCS expand their product offerings to the government sector using O3b's fiber speed, satellite reach solution, providing TCS customers with highly reliable and secure satellite communications globally."

HEVC: Raising All Resolution Boats?

From http://www.tvtechnology.com/news/0086/hevc-raising-all-resolution-boats/274591

PHOENIX From SD to UHD, the High Efficiency Video Coding codec also known as H.265 is predicted to change the media viewing landscape in 2015. After being formally adopted as a video compression standard in 2014 and showcased as the UHD enabler at the Consumer Electronics Show, the use of HEVC in both software and hardware could possibly make the biggest impact of any new TV technology in coming months.

“HEVC will bring not only more pixels but better ones,” said Keith Wymbs, chief marketing officer at Elemental Technologies, a Portland, Ore.-based developer of video processing technology. He is referring to the fact that the HEVC standard allows for not only greater resolution, but more color depth and a faster frame rate. All of these elements can mean big improvements in the video experience.

The improvements that HEVC will bring will not only benefit UHD viewers, but those using SD and HD content as well. Mark Senecal, manager of product management for compression for Imagine Communications in Dallas, explains that by leveraging the compression efficiencies of the new codec, low bandwidth viewers who once could only get 480p streams can now get 720p over the same delivery path. “If you look at companies doing a pure OTT play, ones that do SD can now deliver HD, which is a more compelling offering,” he said.

Bringing the improved viewing experience home will rely on companies leveraging the new codec to deliver content over existing distribution systems. “For HEVC distribution it is about economizing bandwidth,” says Ian Trow, senior director of emerging technology and strategy at Harmonic in San Jose, Calif. “Use of HEVC has a direct cost savings in distribution, whether satellite or Internet delivery.” He says that at CES there was a huge emphasis on replicating what Netflix and Sony had done in terms of a UHD VOD service model using HEVC.

MAKING BETTER PICTURES
Not since the AVC (H.264) codec helped enable the transition from SD to HD, has a technology come along that promises both cost savings and viewing experience improvement.

“The big advantage of HEVC as we see it is getting better quality content to the user,” explains Imagine’s Senecal. He says that his company is excited about UHD enabling technologies and that they also see better quality content revolving around more and better HD as well as the improved viewing experience of 4K images. “HEVC is the next generation of compression technologies which has not only advantages for UHD but regular HD, and in some cases SD as well,” said Matthew Goldman, senior vice president of TV compression for Ericsson and executive vice president of The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.

“High dynamic range is one of the hottest topics in the industry,” says Goldman. Greater HDR means brighter colors and more contrast between lights and darks. He explains that the higher resolution of UHD is best experienced on certain size screens from a certain distance, “but higher dynamic range is always visible even when resolution may not be.” The use of HEVC may benefit all resolutions by providing more HDR, which will improve the viewing experience over current SD and HD color spaces that due to current standards present far less color and contrast than the human eye can perceive.

For sports enthusiasts higher frame rate video increases the detail and can eliminate the blurring of fast moving scenes. “HEVC can support higher frame rates in addition to resolution and color gamut,” adds Goldman. This could pave the way for a more immersive sports viewing experience. Though HEVC is not a SMPTE standard, the organization is working on the standards that complete its implementation into the broadcast ecosystem.

THE BANDWIDTH WIN
“In many ways HEVC will empower 4K delivery much as H.264 kicked off the HD delivery model,” Senecal said. The often 4x multiple of data and file sizes associated with 4K production can make both transmission and storage of the assets a challenge.

Harmonic’s Electra-X Targets UHD Encoding

SAN JOSE, CALIF.Harmonic is expanding its Electra media processing product line with the introduction of Electra X, targeting broadcast and multiscreen content delivery. Harmonic says it’s the world’s first encoder family to support graphics, branding, and playout functionalities, as well as superior video quality and full-frame UHD live encoding.

“From a storage perspective it’s been a challenge getting 4K material compressed to a manageable size until very recently,” said Trow. “And for HEVC, 4K distribution has been all about economizing bandwidth. This has a direct cost savings in distribution, whether satellite or Internet delivery.”

Netflix and Sony led the way with their proprietary methods of delivering 4K to home via OTT services, and DirecTV has now entered the field by utilizing a satellite delivery method by partnering with Elemental Technologies and Samsung to create their end-to-end delivery model. Netflix and DirecTV, which want to draw more customers in by offering 4K content, both rely heavily on the compression efficiencies of the HEVC codec.

HARDWARE VERSUS SOFTWARE
Compressing large files as cost effective and as efficiently as possible is one challenge for getting UHD material to home. This is where HEVC can leverage its 3050 percent efficiency over H.264 to provide the right transmission and file size numbers to make storage and distribution of UHD material a reality. To implement the use of HEVC compression there are different techniques, each with its own benefits. These range from hardware solutions and software-based ones to hybrid models utilizing the flexibility and processing of both.

Telestream uses a GPU model in its Vantage transcoders to leverage the power of high-end video cards. Processors by companies like NVIDIA were developed for gaming and animation, but are also leveraged for the computationally heavy compression needs of HEVC. Other companies such as Elemental, Harmonicwhich just introduced its Elextra-X platform targeting UHD (see sidebar)and Imagine Communications’ SelenioFlex line also use a software- and GPUbased platform that they feel allows them to remain flexible and not become too hardware dependant. “Softwarebased systems allow scalability, which means less hardware sitting around idle,” says Imagine’s Senecal about the ability to leverage “virtualization” in the compression space. Wymbs at Elemental agrees, “Uncertainty will drive the market towards the flexibility of software solutions,” he said.

Sony’s XAVC Picks up Where HEVC Leaves Off

There are many proprietary recording formats being used by RED, Canon and ARRI to record their RAW UHD media. These files are huge and create a slow and expensive digital cinema workflow. Other camera manufacturers are choosing a compressed format that is easy to edit right out of the camera.

“Sony’s latest compression technology for HD and 4K applications employs use of MPEG4/AVC also known as H.264 and implemented in a single ASIC at the highest Profile and Level configuration permitted by the MPEG4 standard (P/L 5.2).” says Hugo Gaggioni, CTO for Sony Electronics’ Professional Solutions of America. “XAVC is the commercial name that Sony uses to call this implementation, both in hardware and in software.”

Panasonic has chosen AVC Ultra 4K, and Sony XAVC as their 4K editable H.264 camera native codecs. These two codecs both utilize ASICs to enable real time recording compression of 4K images into recordable file formats written to media in the camera. Sony’s full line of 4K cameras which include the F-55, F-5 and new FS-7, all use XAVC to record 4K files to Sony SxS cards. Their cameras also offer the ability to record regular 2K HD files simultaneously to SD cards.

One of the most efficient ways of performing compression is through the use of dedicated chips called ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Fujitsu demonstrated one at CES that was designed for HEVC. ASICs can provide a powerful and low-cost solution to encoding and decoding. Each of these technologies will have a role in completing the HEVC and UHD ecosystems. With both GPU and softwarebased compressors encoding material and ASICs in receiving devices quickly decoding the media, the HEVC and UHD workflows may be fully realized.

ROOM FOR MANY CODECS

Shawn Carnahan CTO for Telestream in Nevada City, Calif., thinks “HEVC is a good tool, but is not the overly hyped solution that it is made out to be.” Carnahan explains that the 3050 percent compression numbers are valid, but not at every resolution all the time. “It’s not going to replace H.264 any more than H.264 replaced MPEG-2.” He points out that most TVs today still have MPEG-2 based tuners and H.264 decoders embedded. Only the newest models feature the new HEVC decoding.

Senecal returns to the argument about content. “It’s all about the availability of UHD content,” he said, adding that most 4K content now is in the form of produced assets, which means that linear distribution (live) won’t happen for some time. “Initial deployment will be in the set, as it is the easiest way to do it,” says Carnahan. Currently there are several external challenges, like only the latest HDMI cables supporting 4K. “The next step will be more outboard devices that are 4K capable and that can talk to the 4K sets,” Carnahan said.

Trow thinks HEVC will be a big topic at this year’s NAB Show, with broadcasters and OTT delivery companies looking for future hybrid models that offer both live and VOD functionality.

With the ATSC 3.0 standard still a year or two away, some broadcasters like Sinclair Broadcast Group have already become inpatient and have moved forward to test their own versions of higher compression technologies to deliver more channels and better quality content. “Whether right or wrong, they are pushing the industry towards a standard that will be flexible,” said Goldman. “They want to most efficiently use their bandwidth.”

In the near-term, the use of HVEC will be most active in the TV manufacturing and VOD service world, where broadcasters and content providers scramble to acquire HD and UHD assets and develop profitable distribution chains featuring higher resolution media with more vivid colors.

27 Indian satellites currently operational: Govt

From http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/27-indian-satellites-currently-operational-govt-115022500384_1.html

As many as 27 satellites, including 11 which facilitate the communication network in the country, are currently operational and one more is to be launched next month, Lok Sabha was informed today.

One more satellite would be launched next month while three more are in the pipeline, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh said during Question Hour.

"India has made rapid strides in space technology, especially in last 7-8 months. We have already become one of the world leaders in space technology," he said.

Observing that India would also take the leading role in launching satellites for the SAARC nations, the Minister said India was generating revenue by allowing its space facilities to be used by other countries.

"Many small countries are looking towards India to launch their satellites from our platform... We have achieved perfection. We are far ahead of many countries," he said.

Besides the 11 communication satellites, 12 earth observation satellites, three navigational satellites and one Mars orbiter mission are currently in place, Singh said.

With the successful launch of five satellites in June last year, India has entered the area of commercial satellites and also laid the foundation of future satellite programmes, he said.

Singh said currently 95 Ku-band (a part of K band) transponders onboard indigenous communication satellites were being utilised for various communication applications.

He also cited the accurate prediction of cyclone and other natural calamities in recent times saying India has perfected the science of weather forecasting.

21st Century Fox has denied as“categorically untrue”a story that appeared in the Australian Financial Review saying that senior executives from 21st Century Fox and Discovery Communications had met to discuss a tie-up that could create a $100 billion movie, entertainment and sports giant.

Rupert Murdoch of Fox and John Malone, a major shareholder in Discovery (and a director) and chairman and CEO of Discovery Holdings, have a long history in media, sometimes fighting one another and other times co-operating.

Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald, on February 23, reminded readers that News Corp-backed Foxtel is already working on a 50/50 deal with Discovery to buy Australia’s Ten Network.

A few months ago billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a shareholder in News Corp/21st Century Fox, and following the ending of 21st Century’s bid for Time-Warner, said: “Combining both companies would have been a dream proposal because the amount of content the combined company would have had would have been tremendous,” he told CNN in September. “Knowing Mr Murdoch, I think the idea is still in his mind. But I think the time is not right now because the management of Time Warner are against it, and the shareholders of Fox were also not for it.”

Discovery might be that fresh idea. It could make make a perfect fit into 21st Century’s portfolio, not least because of its enormous number of factual and documentary channels around the world, but also its interests in SBS, Eurosport, and an obvious growing enthusiasm for spreading its wings.

NBN selects Arris

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/23/nbn-selects-arris/

NBN, the government Business Enterprise tasked with delivering open access broadband network to all Australians, has chosen Arris Group to build its next-generation Hybrid Fibre-Coaxial (HFC) broadband network. The project is set to revolutionise Australia’s broadband network by providing access to high-speed, reliable broadband services to homes and businesses across Australia.

Using HFC technology will allow NBN Co to build upon existing cable infrastructure which will mean significant cost savings for Australian tax-payers over alternative technologies. It also will allow advanced broadband speeds to be delivered to subscribers across Australia.

NBN Co CTO, Dennis Steiger, said: “NBN Co is committed to ensuring that everyone in Australia will have access to high-speed broadband services. An HFC network represents the fastest and most cost-effective way to deliver it to consumers and businesses in the existing HFC network areas. Our goal is to achieve high-speed broadband as quickly possible, with an eye on future technologies that will secure our place as a global technology leader. Significant investments are being made in HFC broadband technology on a global scale, and we are committed to ensuring that Australia is at the forefront of this movement.”

Bruce McClelland, President of Network & Cloud and Global Services at Arris added: “Arris is honoured to be selected by NBN Co for this exciting project and whole-heartedly endorses the use of HFC technology to proliferate Broadband across Australia. The Arris portfolio of Products and Services are at the heart of many Broadband networks around the world, and we look forward to expanding our presence in the Asia Pacific region. We are delighted to be working with NBN Co at such an important stage in this initiative.”

Satellite project running five years late

From https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/26420899/satellite-project-running-five-years-late/

A satellite communications upgrade has been added to Defence's shame file of troubled projects.

The job of building a new satellite ground station in Western Australia and upgrade another in the ACT is running five years late, even though it was only given the go-ahead in 2009.

Defence Materiel Organisation acting chief executive Harry Dunstall said it was appropriate to put it on the projects of concern list given significant schedule, technical and cost challenges.

Defence Minister Kevin Andrews has directed DMO to work with the prime contractor BAE Systems to get this project back on track.

The overall project to upgrade defence satellite communications is worth about $1 billion.

Under the projects of concern process, defence officials work with responsible companies to achieve remediation. In a few cases, remediation has been deemed impossible and the project has been cancelled.

There are now seven projects on the list, including Collins submarine support, the multi-role helicopter and the air warfare destroyer project.

TV5Monde inks with Movideo for APAC OTT video services

From http://www.mumbrella.asia/2015/02/tv5monde-inks-movideo-apac-ott-video-services/

TV5Monde, the French television broadcaster, has struck a deal with Movideo to manage its video services across APAC.

The announcement:

AUSTRALIA, FEBRUARY 24 2015 : TV5MONDE, one of the largest 24/7 worldwide networks with a weekly reach of over 260 million homes and 74 million viewers has chosen to partner with the Movideo Managed Video Platform for the delivery of its video services across the Asia Pacific region.

TV5MONDE will replace its current player ‘TV5MONDE Player’ and adapt the Movideo Managed Video Platform to manage it services ‘TV5MONDE+ Asie’ and ‘TV5MONDE+ Pacifique’. Subscribers can expect a simpler, more efficient experience with more live content.

“Thanks to Movideo, TV5MONDE will be able to launch a truly exceptional service to its subscribers all over Asia Pacific; with up to 4 live channels, VoD and Catch up TV. This new partnership will also allow us to progressively deploy our full TVE service in the region with smartphones and tablets app as well as connected TV services available to our online subscribers” said TV5 Monde Asia-Pacific Managing Director, Alexandre Muller.

The announcement of the partnership adds another major customer to Movideo’s ever growing base of content owners and media businesses which includes Turner, Nextmedia, Disney, Astro, Singapore Press Holdings, SingTel and Samsung.

“Movideo is fast becoming the partner of choice for media and entertainment companies in APAC and beyond. A passionate focus on just content owners and media companies and our investments in the experience needed to operate effectively across APAC over the last 5 years has been core to our strategy. We have been working with Alex and his team at TV5MONDE for well over twelve months to ready them for this step change in their OTT strategy and service. We are very proud to be working with such a famous global media brand”. Says Tony McGinn, Movideo’s CEO.

SatLink orders NovelSat Modems

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/23/satlink-orders-novelsat-modems/

NovelSat, a long-time SatLink partner, has delivered their NovelSat NS300 Professional Satellite Modems to replace existing KU band-based systems and for implementations with new customers. The NS300 Modem is the industry’s most flexible, scalable satellite modem, offering a wide range of modulation options and superior link reliability, which make it a good match for any communication application or budget.

David Hochner, CEO of SatLink, Communications commented, “SatLink is always on the lookout for the most advanced technology to offer our customers a creative, high end, flexible and efficient solutions. NovelSat modems are a part of that vision.”

From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/united-arab-emirates-spends-1-billion-on-satellite-system/articleshow/46347639.cms

ABU DHABI: An official in the United Arab Emirates says the Gulf federation has reached a deal valued at just over USD 1 billion to buy satellite systems from European manufacturers Airbus and Thales.

The deal was announced today, the second day of the International Defense Exhibition, in the Emirati capital, Abu Dhabi.

Exhibition chairman Obadi al-Ketbi says the deal for the satellites and related equipment is worth 3.75 billion dirhams (USD 1.02 billion), part of roughly USD 2.6 billion in equipment purchases announced by the Emirates. He did not give details on the satellites' use.

The seven-state Emirates federation has been investing heavily in space technology, and last year announced plans to send the first unmanned Arab spaceship to Mars.

IDEX is the largest expo of military equipment in the Middle East.

No 4K for Rio Olympics

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/23/no-4k-for-rio-olympics/

The International Olympics Committee says it has no plans to cover the upcoming 2016 Rio Games in 4K. The decision does not cover further tests on 8K ‘Full’ UHD which will be carried out to link Rio with Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.

Yiannis Exarchos, CEO of Olympic Broadcast Services says it has taken its cue from its major broadcasting clients. Most of these are public broadcasters and few  if any  have any specific plans to transmit 4K signals.

NHK encouraged trials of 8K transmission at the 2012 London Olympic Games, and again at the Sochi winter games.

“In my opinion 8K is much more of a game-changer than 4K,” Exarchos said. “You can really see a huge difference in experience whereas the gap between HD and 4K is far less,” he told the Hollywood Reporter.

23/02/15

AFN mux reported in Indonesia. The footprint is N.E Asia but a check with 2.7M in Perth also sees a carrier there but not strong enough to load. It might load in Northern Australia / Central Australia.

Community members are aware that Foxtel began broadcasting Russia Today (RT), the propaganda organ of the Putin regime, yesterday. AFUO has today w...ritten to the CEO of Foxtel to express its dismay and to seek a meeting to understand Foxtel's rationale, including the commercial deal behind broadcasting RT. That letter follows below.Concerned community members may wish to: a) similarly write to the CEO of Foxtel (email details below); b) consider cancelling their Foxtel subscriptions, and; c) consider encouraging others not to subscribe to Foxtel.

On behalf of the peak body for the Ukrainian community in Australia, I express our dismay at
Foxtel’s decision to broadcast Russia Today (RT) starting yesterday.
In so doing, Foxtel appears to effectively support Vladimir Putin, including the aggressive and
illegal invasions of Crimea and eastern Ukraine, because RT is a State-funded international
communications vehicle for Mr Putin’s policies and actions.
For example, RT broadcasts have consistently sought to deny the internationally accepted evidence
that Putin-backed forces in eastern Ukraine shot down MH17 and cost the lives of innocent
Australians. Moreover, due to its xenophobic bias, RT is consistently anti-Ukrainian and has also
been accused of anti-Semitism by the Simon Wiesenthal Centre.

Indeed, as any proper due diligence would have revealed former RT journalists have openly stated
that RT is a propaganda instrument of the Russian Federation government, and the organisation has
been found to be in breach of media rules in other jurisdictions with regard to journalistic
impartiality.

We are aware of any number of Russian speakers in Australia  the prospective audience for RT  who
share these concerns about RT as a non-legitimate broadcaster. Relatedly, we understand that
concerned members of our community are investigating avenues of recourse, including Press Council
complaints, cancellation of subscriptions and a consumer-led boycott of Foxtel. We will encourage
these community members to be directly in touch with you.

For our part, Stefan Romaniw OAM, our National President and former Multicultural Commissioner of
Victoria, and I request a meeting with yourself and Mr Brian Walsh, Executive Director of
Television, to understand Foxtel’s rationale for broadcasting RT. This would include the
underpinning commercial deal, such as whether RT, which again is funded by Mr Putin’s government,
is paying Foxtel or vice versa, in order that we might share the facts with stakeholders.

Please feel free to get in touch with me at any time so that we can organise a meeting.

Yours truly,

PETE SHMIGEL
Public Affairs Director
Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations

Putin’s view puts Foxtel $2m up

From http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/putins-view-puts-foxtel-2m-up/story-e6frg996-1227234584978

THE Russian government is spending millions of dollars to push its propaganda on Australian audiences, with Foxtel and Fairfax doing deals with the ­volatile regime.

Following revelations Russian President Vladimir Putin is infiltrating Australia with spies at levels not seen since the Cold War, The Australian can reveal Russia is paying Foxtel an ­estimated $2 million a year to broadcast its state-owned channel, Russia Today.

The channel launched on Tuesday, with Foxtel’s executive director of television, Brian Walsh, issuing a press release ­describing the channel as “an ­important voice in bringing ­another perspective to world ­affairs, with an impressive roster of compelling programs from award-winning journalists”.

Russia Today has a long ­history of disgraceful news ­reports amounting to propaganda, including broadcasting claims the September 11 terror attacks in New York were committed by the CIA. Journalists have resigned claiming it is a “propaganda instrument” of the Russian government.

Foxtel refused to answer questions about how much ­payment it was receiving from Russia Today or any affiliated organisation as part of the deal. But senior television industry sources told The Australian Russia Today would be paying Foxtel about $1.5m a year for satellite and transmission fees and at least half a million dollars a year for extras, including a listing in Foxtel’s EPG magazine.

The Australian also asked Foxtel how it would ensure the channel did not broadcast ­Russian propaganda, including material that was highly offensive to western values, anti-­semitic or anti-democratic.

“It is well-known that Russia Today is a Russian state-funded channel which features stories and opinions from a Russian perspective,” a Foxtel spokesman said. “As with all international news channels available on our service, Foxtel has no day-to-day editorial involvement in the news and stories that the channel broadcasts. We leave it for viewers to come to their own conclusions on the material that is broadcast, as we do for all of our news channels.”

This comes at a time when British Defence Secretary ­Michael Fallon has said he is “worried about Putin”, warning the Russian president poses a “real and present danger”.The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations’ public affairs director, Pete Shmigel, has expressed dismay at the decision to broadcast Russia Today.“In so doing, Foxtel appears to effectively support Vladimir Putin, including the aggressive and illegal invasions of Crimea and eastern Ukraine, because RT is a state-funded international communications vehicle for Mr Putin’s policies and actions,” he wrote in a letter to Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein.

Foxtel said it would monitor Russia Today’s compliance with the subscription television code of conduct. But its spokesman said Russia Today was a multi Emmy nominated news and current affairs channel and “complements” Foxtel’s international news channels, ­including Al ­Jazeera, BBC World News, CNN, CNBC, CTV and Fox News “which provide our subscribers with varied perspectives on world affairs”.

“Each of these channels has a different editorial approach, and Foxtel neither endorses nor disavows any of their content.’’It comes after a major print advertising spend by Fairfax, which distributed a lift-out, Russia Beyond the Headlines, in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald in September.

At the time, Crikey reported it was part of a “major international attempt by the Putin government to influence Western opinion”, with The Sydney Morning Herald editor Darren Goodsir telling Crikey it was a “commercial arrangement” and “wasn’t an altruistic activity”.

Daystar on FOXTEL’s Direct to Home (DTH) platform, allowing Australian audiences increased access to the award winning faith-based network.

Daystar Television Network is an award winning, faith-based network dedicated to spreading the Gospel 24 hours a day, seven days a week  all around the globe, through all media formats possible.

Reaching over 108 million households in the United States and over 2 billion people worldwide,

Daystar is the fastest growing faith-based television network in the world.

Simon Farnsworth, CEO of GLOBECAST AUSTRALIA said, “With the assistance of Globecast North America, Globecast Australia is pleased to have the opportunity to enhance the reach of Daystar to Australian audiences through its introduction onto the FOXTEL platform.”

For further information or media enquiries please contact:

Catherine Lavelle
CLPR
E catherine@clpr.com.au
T +61 2 9405 2880

ABOUT GLOBECAST AUSTRALIA

Globecast Australia is the leading provider of broadcast services for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Specialising in live delivery of Standard and High Definition content at the cutting edge of broadcast technology, Globecast Australia’s internationally recognised Globecam is the world leader in live, point of view miniature camera technology. With the largest Digital Satellite News and Sport Gathering fleet in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, the company’s main services are DTH satellite transmission including MPEG4 capability, International Fibre Distribution, Teleport Services, 24/7 Master Control, Mobile TV, Business TV, OTT and IPTV managed services, IP streaming and encoding, Global Satellite Monitoring and Disaster Recovery.

Last year, Globecast Australia was named in the Top 20 in BRW’s Most Innovative Companies. The company’s Globecam technology was recognised as Fox Sports’ Ref Cam received the prestigious 2014 Sportel Golden Podium Award for Best Innovation.

NBN Co will sign a $400 million deal on Monday with US tech company Arris Group to turn Telstra and Singtel-Optus' cable TV network into one of Australia's fastest sources of high-speed internet.

Telstra and Optus run hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) networks that provide millions of Australians with Foxtel Pay TV and broadband services. These will be upgraded by Arris throughoutthe country, and is likely to take three years to complete..

The HFC networks can potentially reach 3.4 million premises and were signed over to NBN Co as part of deals with both telcos that are expected to be approved by regulators later this year.

Supporters of Labor's national broadband network claimed it was a waste of money that would deliver slow internet speeds once more users were added to the service. Some existing HFC services are capable of download speeds of only 8 megabits a second, similar to what broadband services using copper phone-lines can deliver.

The latest deal to upgrade the cable networks aims to counter those concerns by supplying potential download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second and upload speeds of 40Mbps, which is also what Labor was planning to offer under its NBN.

Sources with an intimate understanding of the deal said the present HFC network was not capable of delivering high upload and download speeds due to much of its equipment being made to a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (Docsis) 1.0 standard.

Arris will be brought in to upgrade the entire network to a Docsis 3.0 standard, which overseas providers have used to deliver download speeds of up to 500Mbps. It will also be more easily upgradeable to a Docsis 3.1 standard, which some vendors claim can deliver up to 1 gigabit per second.

This will require about 230 telephone exchanges to be upgraded by skilled engineers who may need to be brought into Australia from overseas. It is understood the migration of customers away from Telstra and Optus onto NBN Co systems is a risky venture that could result in substantial service cuts if improperly handled.

Arris beat fellow US tech supplier Cisco Systems to win the deal, which involves sending field teams out to exchanges to install new cable modem termination systems (CMTS) and to replace retransmission gear.

NBN Co is expected to run commercial pilot trials involving HFC customers by the end of 2015, with full-scale rollouts from March 2016 onwards. A more detailed rollout plan is expected to be released in the next two months.

Using HFC customers will give NBN Co a vital boost in fee-paying subscribers that will eventually help the company become a saleable asset for the federal government. It is expected to eventually be sold for a profit as a stand-alone division.

Presto launches TV streaming service on smartphones

From http://www.telecompaper.com/news/presto-launches-tv-streaming-service-on-smartphones--1066628

Presto, a joint venture between Australian pay-TV provider Foxtel and Seven West Media, has announced its movie and TV subscription streaming service has expanded its mobile device compatibility footprint, adding smartphones to the service. Presto can now be viewed on iPhones and Android handsets. The initial roll out of Presto to smartphones includes iPhone 5C, 5S, 6 and 6 Plus as well select Android devices from Samsung, HTC, LG, Sony and ZTE.

iPhone users can now download the Presto app free of charge from Apple’s App Store and Android. Handset users can download the Presto app from the Google Play Store or Samsung App Store, to access a ad-free movies and TV shows. For AUD 9.99 per month, Australians can subscribe to either Presto TV or Presto Movies or bundle both services for AUD 14.99 a month with the Presto Entertainment bundle, with no ongoing commitment.

Sky TV profit up 12.7 per cent

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11406243

Sky Television's net profit climbed 12.7 per cent in the six months to December to $92.5 million.

Revenue from ordinary activities was slightly up over the period at $464.5 million.

The improved profit was mostly from a decrease in depreciation and amortisation costs.

Sky chief executive John Fellet said a "disappointing" aspect of the result was the company losing 8707 customers over the half, although he pointed out this wasn't unusual for the July to December period.

He attributed the loss, in part, to the TAB shutting down their free-to-air channel in 2013, which led to Sky picking up some of its viewers who signed on for a 12 month period. Some of these customers disconnected during six months to December as their contract wrapped up, he said.

Fellet said company's challenge was attracting new customers at a time when the industry was seeing new entrants emerge with different business models.

Two competitors to Sky, Spark's Lightbox and the soon-to-launch Netflix, have reared their head in this country in the last six months.

Sky TV's golden handcuffs: half-year net profit jumps 12.7% to $92.5m

From http://www.nbr.co.nz/opinion/sky-tvs-golden-handcuffs-net-profit-jumps-127-925m

Only older series of Game of Thrones are on Sky TV's new $20 a month Neon service. First-run episodes are saved for satellite subscribers. The same goes for other prime content

A greater percentage of its subs are now on higher-yielding MySky HDi decoders jumped 8.8% to 529,000.

Programming costs, which comprise both the costs of purchasing programme rights and programme operating costs, increased by $10 million to $280 million, but mainly due to the higher cost of the cricket rights and the Commonwealth Games which were not included in the previous period rather than any content fight with the raft of new media contenders that have hit the market.

All up, the figures for the six months to December 31 look solid for the pay TV broadcast.

The question is: are they too good? With Sky TV raking it in from its satellite decoder business, will the board be sufficiently motivated to invest in new media platforms, or will it be too comfortable in its golden handcuffs?

Ten pages into Sky TV's interim report, there is a worrying sign for investors: total subscribers tipped from 865,055 six months ago to 856,348. And Sky's household penetration dipped from 48.7% to 48.3%.

Churn increased from 13.2% to 13.7%.

Some of those customers can be lured back with deals and promos, others will never come back to traditional broadcasting.

Sky TV is not sitting on its hands. It increased its cap-ex from $51.1 million from $47.4 million in the six months to December 31 as it added internet capability to more decoders (as part of a far-reaching upgrade*) and it launched two contract-free broadband products: Netflix clone Neon and Fanpass.co.nz.

Yet the new broadband services have drawbacks, compared to local and overseas rivals, in video streaming quality and content (Neon) and price (Fanpass, which will cost close to $1000 a year it you choose all three of its Super Rugby, NRL and Formula One options; read NBR's report here).

Fine line
Streaming ondemand video is the way of the future. Sky is walking a line, trying to attract the broadband generation without cannibalising too much of its satellite business. But ultimately, there's only one way the market will go. Perversely, a weaker result today would have helped move Sky faster in the right direction.

Things are already accelerating, perhaps faster than some at Sky anticipated. Spark said last week its launch-year spending on Lightbox, initially pegged at $20 million, will now be $35 million. And Netflix NZ recently revealed more details of its March launch ...

* Fellet argues Sky TV's project to give all MySky decoders download capability, and upgrade all older decoders to MySky, dwarfs any other internet-related initiative. More on that when NBR runs an interview with the Sky TV CEO tomorrow.

From http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/sky-tv-shares-dip-investors-react-loss-subscribers-first-half-profit-gains-bd-169104

Shares of Sky Network Television [NZX: SKT] dropped 0.9 percent today after the country's dominant pay-TV operator delivered a strong first-half profit, but had a net loss of 8,707 subscribers.

Net profit was $92.5 million in the six months ended Dec.31, up 13 percent on the previous period mainly due to lower depreciation and amortisation expenses at $54.1 million and a 31 percent drop in financing costs to $10 million, due to borrowings reducing last year, the company said in a statement.

Revenue was up 1.8 per cent to $464.5 million from $456.4 million in the previous corresponding period , reflecting an increase in subscriber revenues of 3 percent.

Chief executive John Fellet said he would have traded a bit less revenue to get more underlying growth.

A greater percentage of subscribers - from 58.6 percent to nearly two-thirds, are now on the higher-yielding MySky decoder rather than Sky's standard digital decoder. MySky numbers for the half were up 8.8 percent to 529,000.

Still, churn also rose to 13.7 percent from 13.2 percent while household penetration dipped to 48.3 percent from 48.7 percent.

Fellet said a disappointing aspect of the six-month result was the net loss in subscribers, who are now faced with more choice than ever before and that was impacting net growth.

"Our challenge has been attracting new subscribers to the platform in a period where the industry is transitioning," he said.

Fellet described New Zealand as one of the world's most competitive pay-TV markets. Even in the UK and US there were only three players in the subscription video on demand area compared to four in New Zealand for a population that was significantly smaller, he said.

Spark New Zealand launched Lightbox in August last year and recently said it would spend up to $35 million in its launch year rather than the $20 million originally indicated while US-based Netflix is due to launch in New Zealand next month.

In response Sky launched its new internet TV service Neon last week after delays caused by technical glitches and also its new internet TV sports brand Fan Pass.

"Internet is the future. Just like the transition from UHF to satellite, we're transitioning to the internet now because it makes sense," Fellet said.

Sky's next step is to download to all MySky decoders a software update which would allow them to connect to the internet, allowing access to content in either the traditional linear format or an On Demand basis. The software is currently being tested on Sky employees and Fellet said it could take a couple of months to iron out a couple of things he's not happy with before it's rolled out to consumers.

"I want to make it more user friendly because there's no point having thousands of pieces of content if it's hard to navigate and consumers aren't seeing it. Like with Neon, I've delayed to get these things right because you only get one shot at this."

It will also roll out MySky boxes to all digital subscribers.

The board has declared an increased fully imputed dividend of 15 cents per share with the record date of March 10, payable on March 17.

Sky shares fell 5 cents to $5.69 per share, and are down 6.4 percent this year.

Cobbett Hill Chooses MEASAT's AFRICASAT-1a for African VSAT coverage

From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Cobbett_Hill_Chooses_MEASATs_AFRICASAT_1a_for_African_VSAT_coverage_999.html

MEASAT Satellite Systems has announced an agreement with Cobbett Hill Earth Station ("Cobbett Hill") for capacity on the AFRICASAT-1a satellite.

Under the terms of the agreement, Cobbett Hill will use the high-powered AFRICASAT-1a capacity to offer VSAT services to customers in Africa. The fast-growing company is currently ranked #4 on the World Teleport Association's Fast Twenty Teleport 2014 rankings. It looks to continue growing its business in Africa in 2015.

"Cobbett Hill will be able to expand its African business with AFRICASAT-1a," said Gavin Rose, Sales Director, Cobbett Hill. "The satellite's pan-African coverage and high throughput allows us to grow our presence and reduce cost."

"MEASAT is pleased that Cobbett Hill has dedicated teleport resources to AFRICASAT-1a in support of its growth in Africa," said Raj Malik, Senior Vice President - Sales and Marketing, MEASAT.

"Cobbett Hill's decision affirms that AFRICASAT-1a is on track to be the preferred satellite for service providers looking to expand their business into Africa."

Cobbett Hill Earth station is the second UK teleport operator to offer services from AFRICASAT-1a. It joins a growing number of European teleport operators who are contracting capacity on the high-powered satellite.

Cobbett Hill Earth Station
Cobbett Hill Earth Station is an independent UK based teleport offering a complete range of satellite communication services for the Corporate, Maritime, Oil and Gas, Government and Military sectors.

The Teleport has been located in Guildford since 1996 and operates numerous antennas on geostationary satellites located from 65 E to 57 W, providing data, voice and broadcast services.

The Teleport is part of a 200 acre complex of antennas and industrial buildings. The site was an army barracks that was taken over by the RAF in the 1950's and became a radio and secure HF transmissions site. The demise of HF communications gave CHE the opportunity to purchase the facility in 2005. Since this time, CHE has systematically improved the facility and continues to do so long term.

The Teleport has undergone an extensive infrastructure refurbishment and upgrade plan which has enabled CHE to create a modern and resilient Teleport equipped for the needs and demands of today's customers.

Bahrain pulls plug on Alwaleed channel

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/23/bahrain-pulls-plug-on-alwaleed-channel/

Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal’s hopes of launching a news channel have been wiped out by Bahrain’s government. The channel was initially suspended within an hour or so of going on air earlier this month, but now the ‘ban’ is said to be permanent.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Information says all contracts between the Prince’s operation and Bahrain have been terminated, and instructions issued to dismantle the studios.

The station, Alarab TV, partly backed by Bloomberg Television, had employed about 280 staff locally and the tiny Gulf state of Bahrain had previously expressed a wish to establish a competitive media centre to rival that of nearby Dubai. Bahrain is widely recognised as having subsidised the establishing of the TV channel.

Reports suggest that the total investment topped some $200 million.

However, this is not the first time that broadcasters have fallen foul of Bahrain’s sensitivities. A plan by MBC, the leading Arabic-language broadcaster, to establish in 2004 the hugely popular Big Brother format in an Arabic version, and basing the Big Brother House in Bahrain, quickly caused an outrage locally. The show was quickly banned by the Bahraini authorities, and the production closed down.

Prince Alwaleed’s Alarab channel’s début on February 1 carried an interview with a Bahraini opposition figure, who represents the majority Shia population. However, Bahrain’s Sunni minority are also the rulers and closely align themselves with their ultra-conservative neighbours in Saudi Arabia.

As yet it is unclear as to whether Prince Alwaleed will re-establish a transmission centre. He has strong links with Beirut, where he owns the Rotana music and film channels, and also with Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, where he maintains a stake-holding.

SES explains 4K expectations

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/23/ses-explains-4k-expectations/

Last Friday’s (Feb 20) late afternoon post-results analyst’s teleconference revealed a few important points about satellite operator SES and what it expects to happen in terms of 4K broadcasting this year and next.

SES CEO Karin Michel Sabbagh told analysts that they were in ongoing conversations as regards their client’s expectations regarding 4K/UHD transmissions, and not least in terms of the audience size for 4K broadcasts. “There are number of elements that need to come into place. The very good point here to note is that once consumers are exposed to a 4K experience, the sort of statement of intent to upgrade, to transition and to purchase into that [4K] proposition is very strong,” said Sabbagh.

“The other element [in the equation] is that the standards are aligning. There are still some incremental features that could come in the next six to 12 months, but we have today the standards and the features [needed]. What is also encouraging is that the pick-up of 4K screens is moving much faster than what we had [expected].”

“We had talked about the fact that by 2020, we estimated that there would be around 200 Ultra HD channels and 100 million Ultra HD screens [in place]. And if I take the pace of what was shipped and purchased by the end of 2014, without factoring any growth, we will be already expect close to 90 million screens [in place by 2020],” said Sabbagh.

“So the elements are converging for a 2016 [UHD] reality. There are already conversations with important broadcasters about transponders that will carry Ultra HD channels.”

Forget 4K, 8K: Get ready for Holo-TV

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/23/forget-4k-8k-get-ready-for-holo-tv/

Researchers at Brigham Young University (BYU) say they have developed technology which could lead to true, and highly affordable, Holographic television.

Daniel Smalley, assistant professor of electrical engineering at BYU, described the technology as being affordable , and uses surface acoustic waves (SAW) generated in lithium niobate (LiNbO3) to control red, green and blue laser light passing through microscopic optical waveguides. Got that so far?

Professor Smalley says that by using large numbers of these SAW devices can be formed on a surface using semiconductor fabrication techniques. The team’s technology adapts and combines techniques from telecom and integrated optics in a way that makes it much less expensive than previous approaches, says LDM. “We can use this technology to make simple and inexpensive colour waveguide displays  including inexpensive holographic video displays,” Smalley added. “This can drop the cost of a holographic video display from tens of thousands of dollars to less than a thousand.”

The bottom line involves manufacturing a device that can display a massive 50 billion pixels per second, and results in 3D images handled at the same sort of resolution and frame rates as seen in today’s  now outmoded  standard definition models.

Prof. Smalley said one of the remaining challenges is up-rating the technology to 4K standards, and even to cope with “room-sized” holographic displays.

However, LDM’s contributor Matthew Brennesholtz admits that the technology might well be some years away, and “even decades”.

AAPA welcomes card-sharing convictions

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/20/aapa-welcomes-card-sharing-convictions/

Anti-piracy body AAPA has welcomed the outcome of three separate criminal cases involving AAPA member Sky Deutschland which have seen local courts in Germany issue fines and suspended prison sentences to operators of different card-sharing servers in Recklinghausen, Munich and Pforzheim.

The case in the local court of Bochum resulted in a suspended prison sentence of 1 year and 6 months plus a fine of €2,000 being imposed on the principal offender of a card-sharing operation in Recklinghausen. The Bochum court stated in its decision that the card sharing operation, which had 423 users caused damage of €430,000, creating an income of €143,000 for the card sharing server operator and a loss to the fiscal authority of €34,000.

The court of Munich convicted a local card-sharing server operator and issued a suspended prison sentence of 1 year and 10 months and a fine of €1,700. The Munich court decreed that the card-sharing activity was computer fraud on a commercial scale; the fraud being committed jointly with the users. The court cases against the users are being handled locally at the place of residence of the users: the first ones have already been concluded with the users being convicted.

The case in the local court of Pforzheim resulted in a penalty order with a suspended prison sentence of 1 year.

According to Andreas Rudloff, VP Platform Services and Security, Sky Deutschland, the decisions demonstrated that offering illegal access to pay-TV content as well as the use of illegal content is drawing increasing attention from law enforcement. “Investigations by specially trained investigation teams in combination with experienced and specialised prosecutors enable courts to decide on such criminal cases by weighing up the underlying criminal intent and allow them to apply appropriate criminal legislation,” he advised.

Sheila Cassells, Executive Director of AAPA, said that the body had identified a need to increase the knowledge and expertise of law enforcement officers, including prosecutors, in this increasingly complex criminal area. “These decisions support the strategy of AAPA and its members to support training of law enforcement agents on a national and international level. We will continue to develop and implement training on audiovisual Internet piracy,” she confirmed.

But a security researcher has discovered that older models of the smart TVs don't fully encrypt voice data when it is sent to an outside company to be transcribed.

Instead, network details, information about the TV's operating system and even specific words are left exposed to hackers who could, in theory, swap spoken commands for others, or make searches to malicious web pages designed to install malware.

A security expert found that when voice data is sent to the web from a Samsung smart TV, the stream is not fully encrypted. Instead, he found it is sent in a mix of markup language and binary that reveals details about the TV such as the operating system, and select words ('Samsung and 'Samson' pictured bottom right)

In a previous blog post, Samsung revealed this outside company is called Nuance.

To run the tests, David Lodge from Pen Test Partners used a network inspection tool called Wireshark.

This revealed what data was captured and sent from a Samsung smart TV to the wider internet.

Mr Lodge said the information was sent in a mix of markup language and binary that revealed details about the TV such as the operating system being used, and the device's MAC address.

A MAC address can be used to identify the network the device is connected to.

TESTING SAMSUNGS SMART TVS

To run the tests, David Lodge from Pen Test Partners used a network inspection tool called Wireshark.

This revealed what data was captured and sent from a Samsung smart TV to the wider internet.

Samsung 'listens' for voice commands and then sends them, along with information about the device, to a company called Nuance Communications.

This service converts speech to text and the TV uses this text to search for content or carry out a task, for example.

Mr Lodge discovered that the information is sent in a mix of markup language and binary and reveals details about the TV such as the operating system being used, and the device's MAC address.

A MAC address can be used to identify the network that the device is connected to.

This data is sent with the audio, parts of which were easily identifiable during Mr Lodge's tests, and the processing service returns the transcript in plaintext.

Ken Munro from Pen Test Partners later told The Register that since Mr Lodge's original tests, a team of security experts had decoded his voice audio.

As a result they were able to replay what Mr Lodge had originally said.

This data was sent with the audio, parts of which were easily identifiable during Mr Lodge's tests, and the processing service returned the transcript in plaintext.

Mr Lodge explained in his blog that this information has the potential to be picked up by a hacker using a 'man-in-the-middle' attack.

This kind of attack is used to intercept traffic between a user’s device and the destination system, making a victim’s machine think the hacker’s machine is the access point to the internet.

Describing Samsung as 'sneaky swines', Mr Lodge wrote: 'What we see here is not SSL encrypted data...You can make out that it thinks I’ve said either Samsung, Samson or Samsong.

'Based on the limited information leaked in plaintext, there’s plenty to suggest that interesting data is making its way onto the interwebs from your TV.

'Come on Samsung, how about at least protecting it with SSL?'

An IP address revealed during the test did not belong to Mr Lodge, however, and the researcher speculated that Nuance may be leaking information about itself in the transcribing process.

In response, Samsung reiterated to MailOnline that it takes consumer privacy very seriously and its 'products are designed with privacy in mind'.

A spokesman said: 'Our latest Smart TV models are equipped with data encryption and a software update will soon be available for download on other models.'

This suggests the encryption issue may also lie with Nuance and MailOnline has contacted the company for more information.

Ken Munro, also from Pen Test Partners, recently told The Register that since Mr Lodge's blog was published a team of security experts had decoded the voice audio.

As a result they were able to replay what Mr Lodge had originally said.

To run the tests, David Lodge from Pen Test Partnets used a network inspection tool called Wireshark. This revealed what data was captured and sent from a Samsung smart TV (example pictured) to the wider internet. This data is sent with the audio and the processing service returns the transcript in plaintext

'So it does kinda spy on you, but then leaks the spied data on to the public internet,' said Mr Munro. 'The critical point about this is that Samsung haven’t encrypted the traffic.'

The original backlash began at the start of the month when The Daily Beast highlighted a line in Samsung's smart TV privacy policy that concerned privacy campaigners.

This line suggested Samsung's voice recognition technology has the potential to listen to conversations and capture 'personal or other sensitive information'.

Earlier this month, Samsung was criticised over claims its smart TVs can capture 'personal or other sensitive' conversations (policy extract pictured)

At the time of the initial claims, a Samsung spokesman told MailOnline it takes consumer privacy very seriously and that 'any data gathering or their use is carried out with utmost transparency'.

The firm then posted a blog post further clarifying where it stands on the issue.

'Samsung smart TVs do not monitor living room conversations,' said the firm.

It continued that language used in the policy -particularly the line: 'Please be aware that if your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party through your use of Voice Recognition - has led to confusion.

To clarify its position, Samsung explained: 'If you enable Voice Recognition, you can interact with your Smart TV using your voice.

'To provide you the Voice Recognition feature, some voice commands may be transmitted to a third-party service provider (currently, Nuance Communications, Inc.) that converts your interactive voice commands to text.

'In addition, Samsung may collect and your device may capture voice commands and associated texts so that we can provide you with Voice Recognition features and evaluate and improve the features.'

The wording of the policy concerned privacy campaigners and Electronic Frontier Foundation activist Parker Higgins tweeted Samsung's terminology was similar to an excerpt from George Orwell's 1984 (shown)

Samsung smart TV users later complained their sets had started showing Pepsi adverts while watching movies on the Foxtel, and Plex apps. The reports claimed the advert covered half the screen and disrupted the film. Samsung told MailOnline it is making an investigation into the fault its 'top priority'

And the firm stressed that it only collects voice commands when users make a specific search request to the smart TV by clicking the activation button either on the remote control, or on their screen and speaking into the microphone on the remote control.

This was confirmed by Mr Lodge during his test.

If people don't enable the feature, they can't use the interactive features, but users can disable recognition data at any time in the Settings menu.

Samsung has still not explained what it does with the data it collects, and how long it keeps it for.

Plus, at the time of writing, it hasn't updated the wording of the privacy policy to make this clearer.

A week later, users began complaining the TVs had started randomly showing adverts during the middle of movies.

At the time of the initial claims, a Samsung spokesman told MailOnline it takes consumer privacy very seriously and that 'any data gathering or their use is carried out with utmost transparency. The firm later posted a blog post further clarifying that its smart TVs 'do not monitor living room conversations'

One user wrote: 'After about 15 minutes of watching live TV, the screen goes blank and then a Pepsi advert - taking up about half the screen - pops up and stops Foxtel playing.

'It's as if there is a popup ad on the TV. I have not installed any other software or apps.'

The same issue was also reported by at least five other people on a separate thread.

HOW DO SAMSUNG TVS 'HEAR'?

Voice recognition lets the user control the TV using voice commands.

It has to be activated in the first instance, and can be deactivated at any time.

Samsung 'listens' for voice commands and then sends them, along with information about the device, to a company called Nuance Communications.

This service converts speech to text and the TV uses this text to search for content or carry out a task, for example.

In addition, Samsung said it may collect and capture voice commands and associated texts for future use, so it can improve the features.

Once enabled, Samsung told MailOnline that the voice data only consists of TV commands, or search sentences, only.

Users can recognise if the voice recognition feature is activated because a microphone icon appears on the screen.

A spokesman continued that Samsung doesn't sell voice data to third parties and the voice data is sent to a server, which searches for the requested content then sends it to the TV.

He did not explain what happens to the captured data once it is no longer needed, and MailOnline has contacted Samsung for further information.

It was initially thought to be a problem with the Foxtel app, but another forum member said he didn't have Foxtel installed on his Samsung TV but was experiencing the same issue.

Furthermore, a Redditor said they had also been shown a Pepsi advert while watching films on the Plex app on their Samsung smart TV.

Samsung told MailOnline: 'We are aware of a situation that has caused some smart TV users in Australia to experience program interruption in the form of an advertisement.

'This seems to be caused by an error, and we are currently conducting a full and thorough investigation into the cause as our top priority.

'We would like to apologise for any inconvenience experienced by our customers.'

The news followed years of concerns about how much data smart TV sets and voice recognition technology capture and send.

In 2012, Malta-based security firm ReVuln posted a video showing how its researchers had learned to crack a Samsung television to access its settings - including any personal information stored on it.

With such malware installed, hackers could use the TV's built-in microphones and camera to hear and see everything in front of it.

Last summer, a Which? investigation then discovered just how much data the manufacturers can gather.

Experts monitored streams of data coming from 2013 and 2014 models of smart TVs made by LG, Samsung, Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba.

All the brands tracked people’s viewing habits to some extent, and users had agreed to this when they accepted the TVs terms and conditions.

Most of data collected was encrypted to hide it from hackers, but a Samsung TV disclosed the tester’s location and postcode.

The firm told Which? that location is needed to operate the TV, but that a postcode isn’t required.

Samsung stressed that it only collects voice commands when users make a specific search request to the smart TV by clicking the activation button either on the remote control, or on their screen and speaking into the microphone on the remote control. The voice recognition features can also be disabled at any time

Australia: Rights holders, ISPs publish draft copyright code

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/20/australia-rights-holders-isps-publish-draft-copyright-code/

A new draft industry Code of Practice with the emphasis on education has been published with the aim of driving down the rate of online copyright infringement, the so-called ‘Internet piracy’ in Australia.

The draft Code, published by Communications Alliance  the primary telecommunications industry body in Australia  for public comment, is the product of an intensive development process by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and a broad alliance of Rights Holders from the music, film, television and performing arts industries.

The draft Code is scheduled to be submitted in final form to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in April 2015 for registration  in line with the timeline requested by the Federal Government in December 2014.

The Code creates a Copyright Notice Scheme through which residential fixed Internet users who are alleged to have infringed copyright online will receive an escalating series of infringement notices designed to change their behaviour and steer them toward lawful sources of content.

The Scheme has a strong emphasis on public education and does not contain explicit sanctions against Internet users, but does provide for a ‘facilitated preliminary discovery’ process through which ISPs can assist Rights Holders who may decide to take legal action against persistent infringers.

The Scheme contains strong safeguards against any threat to the privacy of Internet users and allows an account holder who receives three infringement notices in a 12 month period to have the validity of the allegations independently reviewed. Several key issues are still under discussion between Rights Holders, including elements of the funding arrangements for the Scheme and the volume of notices anticipated to be sent during the Scheme’s initial 18 months of operation.

Communication Alliance CEO, John Stanton, praised the cooperative spirit and energy shown by Rights Holders and ISPs to reach agreement on the draft. “These issues are complex and while both industries want to eradicate online copyright infringement, it has proved very difficult in the past for Rights Holders and ISPs to agree on the shape of a notice scheme,” he admitted.

“Much work remains, but publication of a draft Code is an important milestone toward greater protection for the legitimate rights of the creative industries,” he added.

Chris Woodforde, the representative of many of the Rights Holders during the negotiations said: “The creative industries believe that the implementation of an effective code is an important step in protecting creative content in the online environment. The release of the draft code for public comment is important in achieving that goal. The creative industry representatives will continue to work with the Government, ISPs and other stakeholders to implement the code and address the serious issue of online copyright infringement.”

A Copyright Information Panel (CIP) will be created to oversee the Scheme and to coordinate the public education programme, including via a dedicated website.

Consumer representative body ACCAN and the Internet Society of Australia are among the stakeholders involved in the Code development process.

Members of the public and other stakeholders are encouraged to comment on the draft Code by submitting comments before 23 March 2015. Public comments will be taken into account before the Code is finalised and submitted to the ACMA.

The effectiveness of the Code will be independently evaluated 18 months after its commencement.

John Drinnan: TV in catch-up to the internet

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11404815

Netflix to join Quickflix, Lightbox and Neon as viewers get even more options.

NZ Freeview says the new digital service will provide "vastly improved" navigation. Free-to-air television is playing catch-up in a year of innovation by internet TV. New apps and a new set-top box are being developed for Freeview, offering better links to on-demand services at Television NZ, MediaWorks and Maori TV.

Freeview says the new digital service will provide "vastly improved" navigation. Details will be announced closer to the launch, possibly in July.

On-demand rights are free-to-air's key asset, as viewing habits change so people watch what they like when they like, on different devices. Free-to-air channels are keeping up with a growing range of internet-based pay TV products such as subscription video on demand (SVOD), advanced MySky recorders and new internet-based sports competition passes from Sky and Coliseum.

And yesterday Netflix gave basic details of its New Zealand subscription service to start next month, competing with Quickflix ($12.99 per month); Spark's Lightbox ($15), launched in August; and the Sky TV SVOD service Neon ($20), launched last week.

SVOD focuses on schedules full of back catalogue material, with some exclusive content to draw customers.

Netflix is a huge company and has apps for media devices such as smart TVs and tablets.

In the local market, Quickflix is the most advanced so far and has built apps for media devices. Lightbox started in August and for 12 months is free to Spark broadband customers. Spark yesterday said it was increasing its investment in Lightbox, from an estimated $20 million previously, to $35 million.

Neon got bad reviews when it launched last week but has exclusive rights to repeat quality HBO content that it uses to justify its higher price.

DVB licensing for DVB-S2X patents

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/19/dvb-licensing-for-dvb-s2x-patents/

The initial meeting of holders of DVB-S2X technology is scheduled to occur on Wednesday, 25 March, at 14:00 in the Hilton Copenhagen Airport Hotel, Ellehammersvej 20, 2770 Copenhagen. The meeting is open to anyone  whether a DVB Member or not  that has a well-founded belief that it hold patents essential to the DVB-S2X specification. The DVB-S2X technical specification was finalized and approved by the DVB Steering Board in March 2014 for formal standardisation by ETSI.

As part of its policy governing the licensing of patents essential to its specifications, DVB fosters the formation of voluntary licensing programs (pools). It is expected that the patent holders will promptly select a commercial facilitator to take forward the pooling effort. Participation in any licensing program that develops from this process will be voluntary and non-exclusive.

YouTube launching ad-free subscription service

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/19/youtube-launching-ad-free-subscription-service/

Google is preparing to launch an ad-free YouTube subscription service. The online video portal is in the midst of “fine-tuning the experience” which is likely to launch in a few months, according to Robert Kyncl, YouTube’s head of content and business operations, speaking at the Code/Media conference in California.

Kyncl added that a subscription offering was important to YouTube because some viewers did not wish to sit through advertisements.

The move would allow YouTube to compete with companies such as Netflix and represent a significant change for the site, whose free ad-supported videos attract more than one billion users a month.

Kyncl also added that YouTube’s growth had accelerated despite competition from Facebook and others, and was eager to encourage its best content creators through schemes such as Google Preferred.

Launched last year, Google Preferred packages together the most popular YouTube channels and sells ads across them up front, in the same way that traditional TV ads are sold.

RR Media Takes Christian Television Network Online

From http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/02/prweb12529264.htm

RR Media has announced its extended partnership with Christian Television Network to include an online HD channel.

We’re happy to continue and expand our work with an innovative company like RR Media in order to deliver inspirational programming that appeals to a broad cross section of viewers in multiple regions around the world

London, UK (PRWEB UK) 19 February 2015

RR Media, a leading provider of global digital media services to the broadcast industry, has announced that it has extended the current distribution partnership with Christian Television Network (CTN). This will now include an online HD channel available on the Roku platform as well as a video player for the CTN website to support any device including PC, tablets and smartphones.

RR Media takes the channel content originating at CTN’s facilities in Largo, Florida and distributes via its smart global network, which is optimised for delivery over satellite, fibre and the internet to North American direct-to-home platforms as well as sending the feed to RR Media’s Middle East media centre for delivery to Asian and African TV service providers.

In extending this service, CTN now utilises RR Media’s capability to deliver content over online video platforms, expanding the channel reach to global audiences through their website and the Roku platform. By using RR Media’s digital services, CTN is able to repurpose existing broadcast content for online consumption.

Douglas Parrish, Head of RR Media’s Global Online Business Unit comments: “We are pleased to be continuing our relationship with CTN in order to take their inspirational messages to a worldwide audience. CTN realises that online video platforms provide a fantastic method to deliver content over a fast developing medium.”

Bob D'Andrea, President of CTN said: “We’re happy to continue and expand our work with an innovative company like RR Media in order to deliver inspirational programming that appeals to a broad cross section of viewers in multiple regions around the world.”

RR Media will be exhibiting at the upcoming NRB International Christian Media Convention held at Gaylord Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. See more of RR Media’s rich digital media services capability at NRB 2015, at Stand 231 from February 24-26, 2015.

The $10 a month all-you-can-eat service is currently offering a 30-day trial.

Netflix, the US streaming Media giant, says it will launch in Australia in March. Stan is also up against local players such as Quickflix and Foxtel’s Presto.

NASA Team Develops New Ka-Band Communications System to Break Through the Noise

From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/NASA_Team_Develops_New_Ka_Band_Communications_System_to_Break_Through_the_Noise_999.html

The radio frequency band that many NASA missions use to communicate with spacecraft - S-band - is getting a bit crowded and noisy, and likely to get more jammed as science missions demand higher and higher data rates.

A team of NASA technologists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, just may have a solution, particularly for potential missions that plan to operate in low-Earth orbit and have limited real estate to accommodate communications gear.

Under two different research and development projects, technologists Mae Huang and Victor Marrero-Fontanez have collaborated to test and verify components of a prototype end-to-end Ka-band space communications system, which promises significantly higher data rates - a whopping 2.4 gigabits of data per second (Gbps) - over more traditional S-band systems, which theoretically could achieve data rates of 90 megabits of data per second (Mbps).

Huang is working with Goddard's Jeffrey Jaso - a pioneer in Ka-Band communications - to develop a Ka-band transmitter. Marrero-Fontanez, meanwhile, is designing Ka-band antennas to receive the Ka-band signals. Huang and Marrero-Fontanez plan to assemble a prototype in 2015.

Huang also will be delivering an engineering test unit of her transmitter to a Goddard team that is considering the technology's use on the proposed Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST).

WFIRST, a next-generation observatory proposed for launch in the mid-2020s. WFIRST would carry out wide-field imaging and slitless spectroscopic surveys of the near-infrared sky, with an emphasis on studying dark energy and exoplanets. Due to its heavy data-rate requirements, the project provided Huang with some funding to advance her technology, she said.

WFIRST isn't the only mission looking for a compact, low-power, end-to-end system. Future Earth-observing missions also are expected to generate higher and higher data rates that could overwhelm the S-band allocations that are shared by space missions using NASA's Near-Earth Network and Deep Space Network and Federal and commercial operations.

"In a sense it's like rush-hour traffic. When you start your morning commute, you may notice fewer cars, but before you know it, you're in stop-and-go traffic as more cars merge onto the highway. The world's frequency bands are beginning to look a lot like bumper-to-bumper traffic," she said.

"Cell phones, streaming video, and data communications are all placing big strains on available bandwidth. Meanwhile, commercial businesses are putting pressure on the government to free up other bands, pushing more Federal operations into the S-band that NASA uses. Couple that with NASA's expected need to transmit and receive greater and greater amounts of mission data, something will have to give."

Although NASA has had the Ka-band allocation for years and has used the frequency on past missions, the band has remained underused for a variety of reasons, mainly because of limited technology development, perceived technical challenges, among other things," Marrero-Fontanez said.

"However, NASA has always had a strong interest in using this frequency allocation," he added, particularly because it can significantly increase data throughput by a factor of more than 100 as compared with S-band.

Making the switchover to Ka-band is further complicated, Huang said, because technologists have few, if any, options to buy Ka-band hardware and components from commercial vendors. "The design is challenging and Goddard has past experience in developing reliable space hardware, and more specifically, reliable Ka-band hardware."

To overcome those challenges, Huang received support from both NASA and Goddard to advance what she believes is the bandwidth of the future for NASA communications in low-Earth orbit - at least until more advanced techniques, such as laser or X-ray communications, become broadly available. "Those investments have certainly paid off," she said.

"Our technology achieves high data rates and includes several innovations," Huang continued, adding that Jaso deserves most of the credit for pioneering Goddard's Ka-band technology. The Solar Dynamics Observatory, launched in 2010, used a first-generation Ka-band transmitter to deliver 300 Mbps using 2.5 watts of power. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched in 2009, contained a second-generation Ka-band unit that delivered three switchable rates from 57 to 228 Mbps.

In comparison, the Goddard team has tested and verified the current third-generation technology capable of delivering 2400 Mbps (2.4 Gbps), with a higher transmitted power option of 10 watts.

Instead of a fixed frequency, the third-generation operates over the entire Ka-band downlink range with a tunable data rate while in operation. She has started investigating the possibility of integrating data encoding as a core function of the Ka-band transmitter. "This is something that has been an interest of some future missions," she said.

"Missions will be interested in our technology not only because it provides a low-risk option, but because it can be adopted without spending on non-recurring engineering. We're compact, low mass, offer low-power requirements," she continued. "It really has great potential."

Intelsat still hurt by segment falls

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/18/intelsat-still-hurt-by-segment-falls/

Satellite operator Intelsat brought in revenues of more than $619 million during its Q4 trading (to December 31st) and helping drive overall revenues for the year to $2.472 billion, and its revenues were just ahead of its own expectations by $11.3 million.

Intelsat paid down $475 million in debt during the year. It managed an EBITDA margin for Q4 of a very respectable 77 per cent at $477.1 million, and finished the year with an all-important future contracted backlog of $10 billion, fractionally down on the September position of 10.1 billion..

Intelsat Chairman and CEO, Dave McGlade said, “In 2014, we were able to deliver strong Adjusted EBITDA and cash flow in a challenging environment, meeting our guidance targets on all metrics. We also completed a debt pay down of $475 million and funded investments in our network. However, the continuation of the trends we experienced in 2014, such as pricing pressures in certain regions and applications, reduced US government spending, and rising geopolitical challenges, compounded with services nearing the end of lifecycle, is creating ongoing headwinds for our business in 2015 and into 2016. We are taking action to counterbalance these trends, focusing our resources on laying the groundwork that will position us to return to growth as our new media satellites and next generation satellites enter service in mid-2016 and 2017.”

Intelsat’s key divisions, when separated, showed media-related revenues up 3 per cent during Q4, although fell back by 0.3 per cent for the year as a whole. Unfortunately its Government-related business struggled with a quarterly reduction of 14 per cent on the same period in 2013, and 17 percent for the year as a whole. Network services (46 per cent of total revenues) also fell back, by 5 per cent for Q4 and 4 percent for the year.

Intelsat’s guidance for 2015 is for media-related growth of 2-3 per cent, but for further declines in government business of another 8-12 per cent and further falls in Network services by about 7-10 per cent.

La Liga seeks new TV rights model

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/18/la-liga-seeks-new-tv-rights-model/

The English Premier League’s lucrative new TV rights deal has inspired Spain’s La Liga to seek a new model to negotiate with broadcasters for more money  and to install a fair balance between the largest and smallest football teams.

La Liga, with broadcast rights owned by media company Mediapro, is the only top European league in which clubs negotiate their own TV contracts. La Liga wants to change it with a switch to collective bargaining for TV deals.

Currently, there is a huge gap between the largest and the smallest teams in terms of money received from TV broadcasters. The largest clubs, Real Madrid and Barcelona, take the lion’s share with earnings of around €140 million each out of the total €650 million paid by TV broadcasters, whilst others such as Atletico de Madrid and Valencia receive €42 million and the smallest ones such as Betis get just €12 million.

“Unless we urgently move towards centralised TV rights sales, Spanish football is going to have a very serious problem”, said Javier Tebas, president of La Liga who concluded: “Economically, we will end up with a fifth-level competition”.

“We are going to lose a lot of value in the market because the Premier League is going to snap up all of the global TV competition and contracts”, he added.

Many football teams are even threatening to shut down La Liga if the government does not soon pass a law mandating collective bargaining for TV rights.

Nintendo scraps European TVii plans

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/18/nintendo-scraps-european-tvii-plans/

Nintendo has revealed that it no longer intends to bring its TVii service to Europe, despite being available in Japan and the US since 2012.

Nintendo’s TVii allows users to browse TV programmes and watch them on their Wii-U Gamepads. While Nintendo had previously outlined plans to bring the service to Europe, their timeline has always been vague. The TVii app is actually a part of the Wii U console’s firmware, but it isn’t bootable in European regions.

Nintendo of Europe said in a statement: “At Nintendo of Europe, we continue to challenge ourselves to develop a range of entertaining experiences for all to enjoy. Due to the extremely complex nature of localising multiple television services across a diverse range of countries with varied licensing systems, regrettably we have taken the decision not to launch the Nintendo TVii service within the European region.”

Sony to quit TV business?

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/18/sony-to-quit-tv-business/

Sony’s bad days will soon be history if CEO Kazuo Hirai’s forecasts comes true. In a major ‘strategy briefing’ outlining his three-year plan for the future, Hirai said the electronics and entertainment giant would be focusing on camera image sensors, videogames and its core entertainment businesses, and in the process boost operating profits some 25-fold by 2018.

However, he did not rule out a greater degree of operational autonomy for many of its divisions, or an exit from its TV and smartphone businesses. Sony exited from its Vaio computer brands a year ago, and at the time said it would trim around 5000 staff from its various subsidiaries.

“It’s not that we aren’t thinking about partnering or selling to other firms at all. . . . Depending on the situation, we’ll have to consider (such options),” Hirai said at a news conference. Previously, Hirai had said that the TV business was important to the electronics giant and that he was not thinking about selling.

“If our initial mid-term corporate strategy was about reforms, the second mid-term strategy starting from the next business year will be about generating profit and investing for growth,” Hirai said.

As for hard numbers, Hirai explained that this current trading period (to March 31st) would see an operating profit of some Y20 billion. This would grow, he stated, to “at least” Y500 billion by 2017-18. However, this year’s numbers  while improved  are still expected to lead to an overall loss, Sony’s sixth net loss in seven years.

The system will include Monics® with SAT-DSP from SAT. Monics, the industry's leading carrier monitoring solution (CMS), will give NewSat the ability to monitor payload traffic and to detect and analyze RF interference, even if that interference is hiding within the main carrier. Powered by SAT's DSP technology supporting high-speed measurements with 80MHz of instantaneous bandwidth, the CMS will provide automatic carrier monitoring, interference detection and analysis of JSL's entire constellation of satellites. Jabiru-1 is scheduled for launch in the first half of 2016. When in operation, Jabiru-1, a Lockheed Martin A2100 satellite, will provide high-powered capacity communications solutions and services to enterprise and government customers in the Middle East, Asia and North Africa (MENA).

David Ball, Chief Technology Officer for NewSat, said, "Jabiru-1 will be Australia's first commercial Ka-band satellite, unlocking bandwidth capacity and coverage unavailable today. With one of the largest satellites in orbit, a leading carrier monitoring system is essential for the operations of Jabiru-1 and we look forward to working with SAT on this important element of the satellite program."

"Kratos welcomes the opportunity to provide our carrier monitoring system for Jabiru-1," said Greg Caicedo, VP and General Manager of SAT. "With this solution, multiple system operators will be able to obtain real time measurements and spectrum displays of the satellite bandwidth for system management purposes. Earlier this year, Kratos was selected to provide a satellite command and control system for Jabiru-1, and we are pleased to provide it with CMS as well."

About NewSat

NewSat (AUST:NWT) is Australia's largest pure-play satellite communications company, delivering internet, voice, data and video communications via satellite. With award winning and unique-to-Australia teleport infrastructure, NewSat has a reputation as the partner of choice for enterprise and government customers around the world. Today, NewSat provides secure and reliable connectivity to 75% of the globe. NewSat is currently expanding its satellite capabilities with the Jabiru Satellite Program. Set to launch Australia's first commercial Ka-band satellite, Jabiru-1 will provide high-powered, flexible capacity over the MENA, and Jabiru-2, launched in 2014, will deliver highly targeted coverage across Australasia. For more information, please visit http://globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=o6_N2-_CpM23NAmySfeJwTEqw1TSx3_lQvga26HEl2v_iplcQT6U1R31Yoo7zmM5.

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS) is a specialized National Security technology Company providing mission critical products, solutions and services for United States National Security. Kratos' core capabilities are sophisticated engineering, manufacturing and system integration offerings for National Security platforms and programs. Kratos' areas of expertise include Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR), satellite communication systems, electronic warfare, unmanned systems, missile defense, cyber warfare, cybersecurity, information assurance, and critical infrastructure security. Kratos has primarily an engineering and technically oriented work force of approximately 3,600. Substantially all of Kratos' work is performed on a military base, in a secure facility or at a critical infrastructure location. Kratos' primary end customers are National Security related agencies. News and information are available at http://globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=p1iI_3cblGyoV9QnK5Dkge-IG_UZfDXeZt9cAQU-VQK6kwbFU_K8_OoeMZ2ABAUGcFX_v6KTb24tITW8UkB1rw%3D%3D.

Intelsat, Azercosmos partner for new craft

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/17/intelsat-azercosmos-partner-for-new-craft/

Satellite services provider and Azercosmos OJSCo, the national satellite operator of Azerbaijan, have signed a strategic agreement at the 45 degrees East orbital position. The two companies will closely collaborate on the design of the Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 satellite and leverage their respective strengths and capabilities during the manufacturing and operational phases of development.

The new satellite will provide continuity of service for the Intelsat 12 satellite currently stationed at 45 degrees East, an orbital location which hosts DTH platforms and provides connectivity for corporate network services in Africa. The new Intelsat 38 satellite will also provide services across Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa.

For Azercosmos, the new satellite offers enhanced capacity, coverage and service offerings to support the growing demands in the region for DTH, government and network services currently supported by Azerspace-1.

“The demand for satellite capacity in our coverage markets, which include CIS, African and Asian countries, continues to grow and with Azerspace-2, it further underscores our commitment to deliver satellite services to the region,” stated Rashad Nabiyev, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Azercosmos. “With our second telecommunications satellite, we will be in a stronger position to meet the increasing demand for broadband and media applications. Our partnership with Intelsat will further strengthen both of our positions in the region and provide the necessary capacity to efficiently expand our services geographically.”

Stephen Spengler, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Intelsat, said the operator’s partnership with Azercosmos was a great example of the value of collaborating with other satellite operators. “Our collaboration will enable us to create additional capacity by leveraging our existing assets and maximising the value of our orbital rights. As a result, Intelsat 38 will be strongly positioned to support the growth objectives of our customers at this orbital location, including leading DTH platforms in the fast growing Central Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific regions and connectivity for corporate network services in Africa.”

Azerspace-2/Intelsat 38 is scheduled to be launched in 2017.

Arianespace selected to launch South Korean GEO-KOMPSAT-2 satellites

From http://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/newsarianespace-south-korean-geo-kompsat-2-satellites-4513895

Arianespace has been awarded a contract by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) to launch two satellites in its GEO-KOMPSAT-2 programme.

Under the contract, Arianespace will launch GEO-KOMPSAT-2A (GK2A) and GEO-KOMPSAT-2B (GK2B) satellites aboard its Ariane 5 vehicles in May 2018 and March 2019 respectively from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

The GK2A and GK2B will be the seventh and eighth South Korean satellites to be launched by Arianespace.

Arianespace chairman Stéphane Israël said: "Our last launch for KARI occurred in 2010. Now, we have been chosen again by KARI to launch these two impressive meteorological observation missions.

"The GK2A and GK2B will be the seventh and eighth South Korean satellites to be launched by Arianespace."

"Contributing to Korean space achievements is a great honour for Arianespace."

Built by KARI at its facility in Daejeon, South Korea, the GEO-KOMPSAT-2 satellites are designed to perform meteorological observation and space weather monitoring, and ocean and earth environmental monitoring.

The satellites will weigh 3,500kg at launch, and will be positioned at 128.2° E geostationary orbit.

The company said it has worked together with Korean satellite technology research centres for 25 years to launch scientific microsatellites, and the COMS multi-mission satellite.

CNN re-applies for Russian licence

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/17/cnn-re-applies-for-russian-licence/

CNN has applied to Russia’s media authority for a licence to allow its transmissions to be carried within the country. CNN exited Russia at the end of last year, although said at the time it intended to formally re-apply under Russia’s new media law.

Vadim Ampelonskiy, press-secretary at regulator Roskomnadzor, said February 17th: “We have received an application from the TV channel CNN International to obtain a universal licence to broadcast in Russia. Under the law, we have 30 days to examine the application, but, most likely, the department will not require that much time to reach a decision. The documents will be studied, they will undergo the required procedures, and then a decision will be taken.”

According to a statement from Roskomnadzor, senior officials from the regulator and executives from CNN held a meeting on January 27th, at which both sides “expressed a mutual interest in the resumption of CNN International broadcasts in Russia, and discussed the legal possibilities for this”.

BBC Monitoring quoted Russian news agency Interfax saying that Mikhail Fedotov, head of Russia’s presidential human rights council, welcomed the news. “We’re always in support of the news domain being as broad as possible,” Fedotov said. “Pluralism in news is one of the conditions for the development of democracy.”

SES still has another satellite to order

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/17/ses-still-has-another-satellite-to-order/

Ordering three satellites in one day may not be a world record, but it has to be close. On February 16th, advanced-television reported the details of the order by Luxembourg’s SES. On February 17th, the satellite operator confirmed that there could be more to go, and that the company has plans to order up to $1.25 billion-worth of satellites and representing four new craft.

According to the company’s president/CEO Karim Michel Sabbagh, the three new satellites “will support our growth and add significant high-power capacity to all four key strategic business verticals  video, data, mobility and government. These fleet investments  all delivered within SES’s forecast CapEx envelope  enable us to differentiate our service offering in our target markets and set the foundation for continued growth. They will allow us to capture the significant potential of numerous vibrant regions and market segments, including DTH in Latin America, and mobility in the aeronautical and maritime sector throughout the Americas and the North Atlantic, as well as powerful end-to-end solutions for governments, defence and security.”

The three new SES satellites (one of which has a j-v role with the Luxembourg Government) means that the company now has seven craft under procurement, of which six are delivering expansion to overall capacity.

SES-14 and SES-15 are both powerful hybrid satellites, using Ku-, Ka- and  in the case of SES-14  also C-band in wide-beam and high-throughput (HTS) technology and a purely electric propulsion system that significantly enhances the satellites’ economic efficiency thanks to the enhanced payload that can be carried as a result of the reduction in fuel mass.

SES will unveil its latest set of financials on February 20th.

Qualcomm introduces 4K-capable HDMI dongle

From http://www.digitaltveurope.net/323452/qualcomm-introduces-4k-capable-hdmi-dongle/

Mobile technology specialist Qualcomm has created a reference design for an Android-based HDMI dongle that can support 4K video and the emerging LTE Broadcast wireless delivery technology as well as WiFi, according to US reports.

US website SlashGear reported that Qualcomm has introduced a high-specification device based on its Snapdragon chipset with a full Android OS that is capable of supporting a wide range of wireless connectivity options and can support 4K video.

According to SlashGear, the dongle is based on the Snapdragon 800 chip, but an upgrade to the more highly-powered 810 may be in the offing to deliver better 4K support.

Qualcomm told the site that while the device supports the full version of Android, the onscreen interface will depend on what manufacturers choose to do, with some leaving most of the control functions to smartphones and tablets and others providing a full onscreen guide or PC experience.

As well as mirroring other devices and delivering internet content over WiFi, the device could use unlicensed LTE spectrum in the 5GHz band to deliver content to the TV.

Google’s Chromecast dongle, the most high-profile product in this category, currently supports 1080p HD video. However, Google has indicated that a new version of the device is in the offing this year, although it has not given details of what it will support.

From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/supreme-court-moots-separate-prasar-bharati-channel-for-live-telecasting-world-cup/articleshow/46281142.cms

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked Prasar Bharati to explore the possibility of creating a separate television channel to live telecast key cricket matches from the ongoing World Cup, so that the feed won't be picked up by private cable operators.

Star Sports, which holds the telecast rights over the matches, had challenged the DD News and DD National channels telecasting the World Cup matches live. Since this live feed on Doordarshan is being picked up by private cable operators, Star claimed, it was losing on substantial subscription revenue.

On Star's petition, Delhi High Court had restrained DD from sharing live feed with private operators, but Prasar Bharati challenged the ruling in the top court on grounds that it was mandated by law to pick up live feed of all important sporting events, especially those involving India, and transmitting it.

At the first detailed hearing Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi sought a stay on the high court ruling, saying it wasn't technically feasible to create a separate channel to show just the finals, the semi-finals and matches involving India. Appearing for Star, former finance minister P Chidambaram said he had no quibble with DD sharing feed with its terrestrial and DTH viewers.

It was only bothered by DD putting it on satellite and private operators picking it up. He suggested the DD carry a disclaimer warning cable operators not to use the live feed. The AG resisted this, too. "When you signed the contract, you were aware of the law," Rohatgi said.

The bench still asked Prasar Bharati to examine the technical feasibility of a separate channel. It also asked Star to estimate losses due to DD's telecast and get back.

From http://www.stockandland.com.au/news/agriculture/general/news/russians-hold-nbn-co-to-ransom/2723788.aspx?storypage=0

NBN Co underestimated the uptake of broadband services in the bush by about four times the demand

AUSTRALIA'S $2 billion government-funded broadband satellite program is on track to become hostage to Russia's commercial and geopolitical interests in Asia after NBN Co rejected the option of paying less than $10 million for orbital slots ideal for its purposes. Russia is refusing to agree to the co-ordination of its satellite in the region despite three years of negotiation led by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). “The satellite world is a snake pit”

It is not clear whether Russian intransigence in reaching an agreement is driven by the current Russian embargo on trade in certain Australian products or is just the normal game-playing the country is famous for in the satellite industry.

As one close observer of the industry said: "The satellite world is a snake pit."

The same observer said the Russians are famous for playing hard ball when it comes to meeting their obligations under the rules and processes over seen by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

NBN Co's broadband satellite program is arguably one of the most embarrassing commercial disasters ever to come out of a government-run body.

The problems occurred well before new chief executive Bill Morrow was installed but he is still dealing the appalling legacy of his predecessors. Rural demand vastly underestimated

The cost of the NBN's fixed wireless and satellite services for 7.5 per cent of the population were under estimated by NBN Co by between $1 billion and $1.5 billion. The taxpayer-funded company failed to realise that if you offered rural residents a top quality broadband service at city prices the populace would grab it with both hands.

The cost of delivering a satellite broadband service to a household in rural Australia is about $10,000 each compared to a broadband connection cost in the city of less than $2000 each.

NBN Co underestimated the uptake of broadband services in the bush by about three to four times the real demand. It thought that out of about 850,000 customers only about three quarters would take up the service. Instead about 1 million households or 2 million people want the services.

The embarrassment does not stop there. Industry sources reckon the provisioning of the two long term satellites by NBN Co was done in such a way it cost at least $150 million more than necessary.

However, the debacle is worse when you consider the planning around acquiring the slots for the orbit of the satellites.

NBN Co was late in filing for its slots which meant it was stuck with a junior priority in the ITU filings. That includes being behind the Russians.

It did not have to be this way. Australian company spurned

NBN Co could have pursued a straightforward commercial solution of negotiating with Australian company KaComm Communications to purchase its four orbital slots.

These filings were made in April 2009 as part of an attempt by KaComm chairman Gregory Clark and executive director Keith Goetsch to use their expertise in the satellite industry to make money from NBN Co's broadband plan.

However, right from the very start of negotiations between KaComm and NBN Co, there was a problem. The NBN Co executives, who had less experience than Clark and Goetsch decided they would not deal with KaComm. The NBN Co strategy was to wait for KaComm's filings with the ITU to expire in October 2015. . The basic rule is that operators who file to use slots first have priority to use those slots but must have a "bird" in the slot for 90 days to extend the rights.

The two NBN satellites will work on the Ka band, a high frequency spectrum particularly suited to telecommunications. They will cover the entire Australian mainland and islands through 101 dedicated 'spot beams'.

NBN confirmed on Monday that it would not be dealing with KaComm despite eleventh hour efforts by Clark to get a deal done. He has even offered to sell his four slots at a price that covers his costs.

The main thing is that he was open to negotiation. Clark upset satellite staff at NBN Co by approaching Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Clark was later told by an NBN Co staff member to stop interfering. "This whole period of negotiations and interaction with NBN over the past few years has been the worst experience of my business career," says Clark.

Clark has an impressive CV having won many scientific awards and worked in senior positions at IBM and News Corp. He remains a confidante of Rupert Murdoch.

Clark says he is working on a plan with Boeing to put a satellite in his slots before the expiry date. The national interest

The NBN Co management does not seem to understand that the KaComm slots are an asset of Australia. They ought to be purchased in the national interest.

The KaComm slots could be used for purposes well beyond the supply of broadband to households in rural areas. They could be used for Australia's diplomatic posts in the region and disaster recovery at sea.

Even if the NBN Co cannot see the value of owning a scarce telecommunication resource that should grow in value over time, it ought to recognise that the price of the slots is equivalent to a very small insurance policy against the uncertainty of what the Russians might do.

There are real risks that the Russians will at some stage constrain the supply of services to Australia. However, to do so they would have to point a beam to Australia.

One possibility is the Russians will do a deal with Indonesia and beam services into Australia from that country.

Chanticleer was yesterday reassured by NBN Co and its expert regulatory adviser Henk Prins, that the Russian failure to agree the co-ordination of its Express satellite in the region was not going to be a problem.

"The NBN Co team met with the Russian operator in Geneva (November 2014) and concluded there are no technical reasons why formal coordination can't be agreed between the parties," NBN Co said in a statement.

"Further, the Russian administration has previously communicated via letter to the ACMA that they have no intention of operating over Australia. The territory of the Russian Federation is the exclusive service area of our EXPRESS-10KA satellite network."

NBN chief executive, Bill Morrow ordered a review of the KaComm proposition to sell its slots to NBN Co. That review was undertaken by Prins who told Chanticleer that just because KaComm had filings did not mean they were worth anything.

He said it was true that technically the Russians could cause problems for Australia but that was highly unlikely.

Russian risks

These reassurances appear to be at odds with the statements made by NBN Co in the fixed wireless and satellite review published in May last year.

The report said: "The ACMA has strongly advised that NBN Co complete a key co-ordination agreement with this particular operator (Russian Satellite Communications Company, the main state operator of communications satellites) prior to launching NBN 1A."

"NBN Co and the Russian Satellite Communications Company should be able to have both satellites operating in the orbital slot at 140° east, with an NBN Co satellite serving the southern hemisphere and the Russian satellites serving the northern hemisphere, but there is some outstanding risk."

ACMA said that the the NBN Co should endeavour to complete co-ordination with the Russian Satellite Communications Company as soon as possible to eliminate the remaining uncertainty.

The Australian Financial Review approached ACMA and it did not try to play down the risks posed by the need to deal with Russia.

"When, as often happens, a satellite is brought into service before a coordination agreement can be reached with the holder of a potentially overlapping prior filing, the operator is required to accept the risk that it may have to constrain the operations of its satellite in future to protect the other service," ACMA said.

It admitted that the KaComm filings would revert to the ITU if they lapse later this year.

Russia Today, to be made available as part of Foxtel’s Entertainment package, presents 24/7 news, bulletins, documentaries, talk shows and debates on a range of issues, as well as sports news and cultural programmes. Key shows will include Larry King Now, In the Now, Discovering Russia, Politicking, On the Money, The Big Picture and Sputnik.

The channel currently broadcasts in more than 100 countries to approximately 700 million people, with operators including Sky (UK), Sky Italia and Comcast (US).

Last week, Foxtel announced it had lifted subscriber numbers by 4.7% after cutting the price of its basic package in half.

Karl Puschmann: Sky TV's Neon fails to get with the programme

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/television/news/article.cfm?c_id=339&objectid=11403340

Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier and Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead, coming to Neon.

It may have taken a while but Sky's internet TV service Neon has finally flickered into life. Originally planned to launch last year, it was held up by system bugs and delayed a couple of times while their IT exterminators sprayed the place.

But in the last month at Neon HQ a number of boots must have been firmly and regularly applied to a number of asses to get this thing up and running before next month's arrival of the American streaming behemoth Netflix.

If they hadn't sorted it all out then they might as well have not bothered and just packed up and gone home.

As it is they've managed to get it all going, squeezing it in just before deadline and rushing to the streaming party late and befuddled like a charmless Hugh Grant.

So, now that it's been "unleashed" what does Neon bring to the party aside from boorish PR declarations that everything is "awesome"?

Firstly, it brings an eye-watering price tag: an outrageous $20 a month which betrays its premium pay TV lineage. This prices it far ahead of its immediate local rivals. Lightbox asks an even $15 while Quickflix is a humble $12.99. We don't yet know how many clams Netflix will charge but the safe money is on it being under $20.

Like other services Neon offers a 30-day free trial. Joining was relatively
straightforward though it did necessitate handing over my credit card deets.

Once you're in, the main home screen itself is nice, with lots of modern fluoros and nice big pictures. It looks flash.

A scene from The Walking Dead.

What's not so flash is the user functionality. The default TV view lists every single season of every single show in date order, jumbling them all up together instead of having, say, a single tile to take you all available episodes of The Walking Dead.

This means that you have to keep scrolling past shows you've decided not to watch as seasons continue to pop up. This sounds nit-picky but in practice it's incredibly annoying to find yourself scrolling past yet another season of Californication.

Dig through the menus and find the alphabetical view and the problem is mostly solved, though each season of every show continues to have its own tile. My assumption is that this is supposed to give the impression of a bounty of shows but is anyone fooled by this? I doubt it.

Martin Freeman in a scene from Fargo.

But what of the shows? Well, there's some good stuff. Season one of Fargo is there as is the very good Gillian Anderson-starring Brit crime series The Fall. There are three seasons of Game of Thrones, but not season four, and you can rewind back to Girls' season one (but only season one), even though season four currently airs on Sky's subscription channel Soho.

So the content's good, but it's old. And nobody pays a premium for old.

Worse, as Sky don't want to cut their own lunch, Neon's content is going to stay old.

They've confirmed that, for example, the upcoming fifth season of Game of Thrones will not be available until months after its initial screening on Sky's Soho channel.

A scene from Game of Thrones.

This statement can be applied to any of the other shows you're excited about. In this age of immediacy Neon champions delay and ain't nobody got time for that.

Neon also offers movies and it's much the same story. The homepage makes a big deal of The Dark Knight Rises and Hangover 2 so we're hardly on cinema's cutting edge. But there is a decent amount to peruse and I'm fairly certain that on a lazy Saturday night you'd no doubt find a flick that you missed three years ago to watch.

After streaming a few shows it all worked fine. However, the quality is SD, not HD, and that's not really good enough. It defaults to medium but I ramped it up to high which resulted in a marginal improvement. If your broadband can handle it then HD really should be supported.

All up it's hard to know what to make of Neon. Quickflix is carving a niche by snaffling up local shows and multitudes of movies at an appealing low price. Lightbox doesn't offer films but is showing determined tenacity by fast-tracking high profile, desirable and - most importantly - exclusive television shows that you don't want to miss, like the superb Better Call Saul.

Bob Odenkirk as Saul Goodman in Better Call Saul on Lightbox.

Neon, meanwhile, simply exists, offering old films and old shows at a premium price point. Its potential is undoubtedly hamstrung by the scores of increasingly outdated decoder boxes sitting in living rooms across New Zealand that tick over costly pay-TV subscriptions to its parent company each month.

This self-enforced content delay in both movies and TV is Neon's biggest problem and the most unacceptable. The service may be on demand but they really need to sort this out and get with the programme.

From http://www.pattayamail.com/news/tv-operators-request-a-deadline-extension-for-digital-tv-auction-payment-45025

BANGKOK, 17 Feb 2015 - Digital TV operators has submitted a petition to the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) calling for postponement of the deadline for the auction payment of the digital TV licenses originally set in May. They also asked the commission to consider changing the payment method to a flat rate.

The group also implored the NBTC to extend the license duration from 15 years to 20 years and amend the use of digital TV converter box coupons so that they could be used to redeem discount for satellite boxes as well. Furthermore, the commission was also asked to arrange channels in a uniform manner in all platforms.

After accepting the petition, NBTC Secretary-General Thakorn Tantasit said he would escalate the request to the Appeal Court and the Finance Ministry for their consideration. He speculated their decisions should be made by next month.

The current deadline for the auction payment of the digital TV licenses is set in May when all of the operators of 24 digital TV channels are obligated to pay a total of 8 billion baht in the 2nd installment of the auction fee to the commission.

Regarding the request to change the payment method to a flat rate, Mr. Thakorn said the NBTC would discuss the matter in its meeting tomorrow.

NBTC urged to change fee system

From http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/telecom/476937/nbtc-urged-to-change-fee-system

Digital TV coupons have been distributed to households in Thailand to encourage the switching from analogue to digital TV system. (Bangkok Post file photo)

Digital TV operators have called on the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to change the collection of digital TV licence fees to a flat rate throughout the 15-year period.

The Radio and Television Broadcasting Professional Federation (RTBPF) on Monday submitted a letter to the NBTC on behalf of digital TV operators.

They also want to delay the 2% payment to the universal service obligation fund.

Meanwhile, the regulator wants to update the second licence fee payment of 24 digital TV operators, which is due in May, before making a decision.

RTBPF president Chamnan Siritan said digital TV operators wanted the flat-rate licence fee because they were affected by the delay in the digital TV subsidy coupon distribution scheme and the lack of a national campaign to build awareness among the public.

The RTBPF also wants the NBTC to consider extending the licence term to 20 years from 15 in order to compensate for loss of opportunities caused by the delayed subsidy voucher distribution.

"The flat-rate licence fee is a better scheme, one that will not create a heavy financial burden for digital TV operators during the first few years of operations," Ms Chamnan said.

Currently, the licence fee will be paid in six payments. Digital TV auction winners will pay the reserved price of the digital TV licence in four parts  50% in the first year, 30% in the second, 10% in the third and 10% in the fourth.

For the surplus, they will pay six times  10% in the first and second years and then 20% in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth.

Ms Chamnan said the RTBPF also wanted the NBTC to reconsider the conditions of digital TV voucher redemption to cover satellite TV set-top boxes, the main platform for TV viewing among Thais.

NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said the regulator would submit a letter to the Council of State and the Finance Ministry asking them to consider an extension of the digital TV licence fee payment, which is expected to be clarified next month.

The second payment of the digital TV licence fee is worth 8 billion baht.

Mr Takorn said the NBTC would bring these proposals for consideration at tomorrow's board meeting.

Last November, the NBTC approved a one-year extension of digital TV licence fee payment, which is due this May, but the proposal has not been finalised and approved by the Council of State and the Finance Ministry.

This means the payment due date remains unchanged, a major concern for digital operators.

NBTC urged to change fee system

From http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/telecom/476937/nbtc-urged-to-change-fee-system

Digital TV coupons have been distributed to households in Thailand to encourage the switching from analogue to digital TV system. (Bangkok Post file photo)

Digital TV operators have called on the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to change the collection of digital TV licence fees to a flat rate throughout the 15-year period.

The Radio and Television Broadcasting Professional Federation (RTBPF) on Monday submitted a letter to the NBTC on behalf of digital TV operators.

They also want to delay the 2% payment to the universal service obligation fund.

Meanwhile, the regulator wants to update the second licence fee payment of 24 digital TV operators, which is due in May, before making a decision.

RTBPF president Chamnan Siritan said digital TV operators wanted the flat-rate licence fee because they were affected by the delay in the digital TV subsidy coupon distribution scheme and the lack of a national campaign to build awareness among the public.

The RTBPF also wants the NBTC to consider extending the licence term to 20 years from 15 in order to compensate for loss of opportunities caused by the delayed subsidy voucher distribution.

"The flat-rate licence fee is a better scheme, one that will not create a heavy financial burden for digital TV operators during the first few years of operations," Ms Chamnan said.

Currently, the licence fee will be paid in six payments. Digital TV auction winners will pay the reserved price of the digital TV licence in four parts  50% in the first year, 30% in the second, 10% in the third and 10% in the fourth.

For the surplus, they will pay six times  10% in the first and second years and then 20% in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth.

Ms Chamnan said the RTBPF also wanted the NBTC to reconsider the conditions of digital TV voucher redemption to cover satellite TV set-top boxes, the main platform for TV viewing among Thais.

NBTC secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said the regulator would submit a letter to the Council of State and the Finance Ministry asking them to consider an extension of the digital TV licence fee payment, which is expected to be clarified next month.

The second payment of the digital TV licence fee is worth 8 billion baht.

Mr Takorn said the NBTC would bring these proposals for consideration at tomorrow's board meeting.

Last November, the NBTC approved a one-year extension of digital TV licence fee payment, which is due this May, but the proposal has not been finalised and approved by the Council of State and the Finance Ministry.

This means the payment due date remains unchanged, a major concern for digital operators.

Turner’s K-culture channel launches on Astro

From http://tbivision.com/news/2015/02/turners-k-culture-channel-launches-astro/391312/

The channel is programmed with Korean drama and entertainment series, which largely hail from Korean free-to-air broadcaster MBC.

Most of the MBC shows go out on Oh!K within a day of their Korean TX.

The high definition channel launched in southeast Asia last October and has since secured carriage on the the Singtel and StarHub platforms in Singapore.

Agnes Rozario, vice president of Astro’s content management group, said: “Oh!K HD offers the best and latest MBC content from Korea. Oh!K will broadcast shows on the same day as Korea ensuring that Astro remains the easiest and fastest way for customers to watch their favourite Korean shows.”

RTL CBS launches Philippine feed

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/16/rtl-cbs-launches-philippine-feed/

RTL CBS Entertainment HD has launched a dedicated feed for the Philippines. The separate feed comes just over year after the channel’s launch in the country.

“The Philippines is an important market for our network. The dedicated feed allows for better customisation and localization and the potential to further widen our advertising reach,” says Jonas Engwall, CEO, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network. “The Philippines feed will give clients cost-efficient and audience-targeted solutions that meet their needs.”

The launch of the dedicated Philippine feed follows the Channel’s entry into Hong Kong through a carriage deal on PCCW’s now TV platform

$1bn triple busy day for SES

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/16/1bn-triple-busy-day-for-ses/

Satellite operator SES is buying three satellites in a series of orders that will cost around $1 billion in total to build and launch. One new craft, the hybrid SES-14, will replace and expand the role undertaken by NSS-806 at 47.5/48 degrees West, and add capacity to the location including backing up and providing extra connectivity for the SES-backed O3b fleet.

SES-14 will be built by Airbus Space and Defence, and is scheduled for launch in Q4 2017. SES-14’s Ku-band wide beams will bring “augmented capacity to serve growing Direct-to-Home and Direct-to-Cable video neighbourhoods in the Americas and support existing VSAT services in both bands. The multi-spot Ku- and Ka-band beams will bring additional, high throughput capacity and are ideal for traffic-intensive data applications such as mobile backhaul, maritime and aeronautical services”.

SES-14 is a hybrid satellite with C- and Ku-band wide beam coverage, as well as Ku- and Ka-band High Throughput Satellite (HTS) coverage across the Americas and the North Atlantic region. The satellite will fully rely on electric propulsion and will be equipped with an electric plasma propulsion system for orbit raising and in-orbit manoeuvres. The electric propulsion system delivers significant reduction in the weight of the satellite, enabling larger payloads to be carried. The new spacecraft will also feature a Digital Transparent Processor (DTP), increasing the payload flexibility to provide customised bandwidth solutions to SES’s customers.

The second satellite announced on February 16 is SES-15 and again will be a hybrid craft adding Ku- and Ka-band capacity to an all-new orbital location to “provide growth capacity in North America and capture business potential in vibrant market segments”.

Boeing will build SES-15 and the 702SP version is due for launch in Q2/17,and will be an ‘all-electric’ craft. SES-15 will “solidify SES’s positioning in the aeronautical mobility and government markets, providing fresh capacity and coverage over major airline routes across the continent. SES-15 will enable SES to serve its leading aeronautical customers and serve other traffic intensive data applications such as government, VSAT networks and maritime,” said SES.

The third craft, SES-16, is being built as part of a joint-venture with the Luxembourg government (LuxGovSat) and will go to 21 degrees East, an orbital slow already ‘brought into use’ officially by the temporary operation at the location by Astra 2G following its launch on December 28. SES-16/GovSat will be built by Orbital ATK and is expected to launch in Q2/17.

SES-16/GovSat is a multi-mission satellite using dedicated military frequencies (X-band and military Ka-band) to provide high-powered and fully steerable spot beams for multiple government-specific missions. The satellite will cover Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Luxembourg government has pre-committed to a significant amount of capacity on the new satellite in support of its NATO obligations; the remaining capacity will be made available to governmental and institutional customers.

Globecast reorganises

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/16/globecast-reorganises/

Globecast it has completed a company-wide reorganisation. Olivier Barberot, CEO, said: “Globecast has expanded tremendously since its inception, and seen enormous success with its satellite and fibre services. We have listened to our customers and closely examined the next phase of our development using their responses and our market expertise.”

This is an important milestone in the move from the largest independent teleport operator and satellite services provider to an integrated, global media solutions company. Powered by the ongoing launch of Media Factories around the world, Globecast is building on these strong foundations to deliver an end-to-end solution offering.

With Media Factory, Globecast has rationalised existing workflows to create a single, efficient process; the company can handle everything from content preparation, formatting, quality control, to creative services and compliance review and editing, in addition to existing contribution, playout and distribution services.

Globecast says it is perfectly positioned to help them take advantage of new market opportunities. Globecast continues to supply market-leading contribution and distribution services, using its unrivalled global connectivity  be that satellite or fibre  easy-to-access PoPs that are strategically positioned, as well as channel packaging and marketing services via its strong relationships with TV platforms around the world.

Barberot added, “The primary concern for our customers is how to generate new revenue opportunities from their existing content or channels or drive new channel launches  it’s all about the bottom line. This is something that we have always understood and we will keep providing customers with greater access to our expertise.”

Amazonas-4 major failure

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/16/amazonas-4-major-failure/

It has been confirmed that Hispasat’s Amazonas-4A is operating with only about 50 per cent of its designed capacity. The satellite was launched almost a year ago on March 22nd by an Ariane rocket, and it was feared suffered a power-subsystem malfunction shortly after launch.

Hispasat president Elena Pisonero has now officially confirmed the loss of capacity at its 61 degrees West orbital slot which is already the subject of a major insurance claim believed to be in the region of $200 million.

A back-up satellite, Amazonas-5, is on order with Space Systems/Loral, and which incorporates the original Amazonas 4A mission, that of its back-up (Amazonas 4B) and other expansion elements. The new satellite ordered in December last year is due for launch in 2017.

From http://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/news-loans-to-foxtel-questioned-20150215-13f3nb.html

Lending and borrowing are helping the Foxtel Partners reduce their tax in Australia.

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation and Telstra Corporation are lending money to their cashed-up pay TV business Foxtel at 12 per cent, claiming tax deductions on the loan and lending the money back to themselves at an interest rate of zero.

An investigation by Fairfax Media has found this irregular transaction helped the Foxtel Partners reduce their tax in Australia, but the ATO seems to have missed out in taxing the interest income. Both companies have responded by saying they comply with tax laws although neither was prepared to address specific questions on the Foxtel transaction.

The $902 million loan appears even more peculiar in light of its high fixed rate and duration, 15 years, and the fact that Foxtel is highly profitable and does not need to borrow that sort of money. Further, Foxtel has refinanced other loans since the Foxtel Partner's arrangement was struck in 2012 but not this loan. Debt experts told Fairfax Media that Foxtel  a pay TV monopoly acting under government mandate  should be borrowing at less than 4 per cent, one-third of the 12 per cent rate it is paying its parent companies.

News Corp is no stranger to controversy on the tax front. It was awarded a tax rebate of $880 million in 2013 after winning a case against the Australian Tax Office (ATO) in the Federal Court. The large rebate sparked controversy as the Tax Office elected not to appeal the case at a time when the federal election campaign was in full swing, Murdoch's newspapers were backing Tony Abbott for prime minister and Mr Abbott was ahead in the polls.

Former tax officials have told Fairfax there was angst within the Tax Office following the decision not to appeal the case. Earlier this month, News filed its submission to the pending parliamentary inquiry into corporate tax avoidance. Its executives are likely to be called to appear and testify as to the nature of the company's tax structures. Along with other multinationals being targeted by the inquiry, News says its activities are legal and independently verified by auditors, Ernst & Young in this case.

"These facts demonstrate that we are incurring and paying substantial tax on our operations in Australia," said the News submission by chief executive Julian Clarke. This appears to be the case, at least as far as its stated pre-tax profits go. On a deeper analysis however, over the past five years the group's tax minimisation tactics facilitated $1.24 billion in transfers to other companies within the global group in interest payments on loans alone. News declined to identify which entities made the loans.

"The loan was struck in April 2012 on commercial terms for a subordinated long-term loan, based on external independent advice," a News statement said.

"The News Corp entities that made the loan are Australian companies, subject to Australian tax law".

News Corp's companies in Australia don't make their financial statements available to the public. Piecing together information from News Corp Australia's disclosures to the Senate inquiry, and comparing these with the disclosures of the Murdoch empire's parent company to the Securities & Exchanges Commission in the US, it is possible to glean a picture of profitability versus tax. Last year News recorded $2.57 billion in revenue from Australian operations and paid tax of about $60 million.

We don't know the precise figure because New Corps submission conflates its own income tax payments with withholding tax payable by its non-Australian companies. Its pre-tax profit was declared at $356 million but thanks to interest expense on related party transactions, that is transfer pricing to offshore related companies, its tax bill is greatly reduced.

No year-by-year breakdown is disclosed but related party interest expense for the past five years stands at $1.244 billion. In other words, the billions of dollars in loans which News has struck with its related companies  many presumably in tax havens  have brought down its exposure to the ATO by $1.2 billion. Over five years, News has paid $292.5 million in income tax on its Australian operations, from the entity it refers to as News Corp Australia.

The Foxtel accounts disclose the partner in Foxtel Group as News Corporation in the US. That seems odd given it would cause News Corporation to be operating through a permanent establishment in Australia and is therefore obliged to lodge a tax return here (which it doesn't).

The Foxtel consolidated accounts also don't eliminate the loan from the partners so we don't believe the loans are coming from the same legal entity that is the partner in the partnership.

Of greater concern is the fact that that loan to the Foxtel Group is being used to grab a tax deduction at 12 per cent and because the drawings exceed equity, the Foxtel Group has made a loan back to the News Corp group tax fee. Telstra is pulling the same stunt and is therefore assisting News Corporation with its tax dodge. The partners, Telstra and News, have each lent $451 million to the Foxtel Group, but because drawings have exceeded profits, the group has in effect, lent the negative equity amount of $432 million or $236 million each back to the partners. So they lend to the group at 12 per cent, get a tax deduction and then lend back to themselves interest-free. Last year, the 12 per cent delivered $108 million in interest payments from Foxtel to the ultimate beneficiaries in News and Telstra  whoever they are.

The essential question in all this from a tax perspective is whether interest on the Foxtel transaction is deductible. Under Part 4A of the Tax Act the "dominant purpose" of a transaction must be commercial. That is, its dominant purpose must not be to get out of paying tax.

Given the loan  to a party which doesn't need it  is then borrowed back at zero per cent, even after tax deductions are claimed, the term "sailing close to the wind" is probably a euphemism.

Does the Tax Office know about it? It relies on the information in the tax return, voluntarily proffered. It also relies on information being public and properly disclosed (this is why the corporate lobby is strenuously opposing proposed measures to increase transparency).

Enough information can be found publicly, as demonstrated here, to establish that the deal looks highly suspicious. Further, journalist Glen Dyer highlighted the astronomical 12 per cent rate in an article in Crikey last year.

Now we know the money is flowing back for free. What we don't know is the identity of the ultimate beneficiaries.

Telstra tells us that "Telstra Corp" was the issuer of the loan to Foxtel, its portion at least. But the Telstra response was so brief and dismissive that it was hardly credible.

News Limited put more effort into its response and carefully avoided the question of the actual entity which provided the loan. Was it from a tax haven? We don't know yet.

Telstra has subsidiaries in most of the major tax havens, but there is only one company using the term Telstra Corporation and that is the parent, Telstra Corporation Limited.

Telstra Corporation Limited would have paid tax in Australia on the interest income.

It appears that only News Corporation could have benefited directly from the avoidance of Australian tax as a result of the arrangement, but if it is the partner as described in the Foxtel accounts, how does it avoid having a permanent establishment in Australia and therefore an obligation to pay tax in Australia on the interest Foxtel paid to it?

The Foxtel Group booked the 12 per cent interest as an expense. We are told that it was Foxtel Management Pty Ltd that is the borrower so if that is correct it would have claimed the tax deduction for the interest. The net profit after tax of the group companies is consolidated into the Foxtel Group accounts and each partner's share of that consolidated net income or loss is included in the partner's income.

On the receipt side of the 12 per cent we are told that it was Telstra Corp that lent the money. We are told that Telstra's interest profit share is included in the parent company's (Telstra Corp) stand-alone accounts. If this is correct, it's a zero sum game for the ATO because it allows Telstra's share of the tax deduction and then taxes the interest received in the Telstra tax return.

If it's only in the consolidated side of the Telstra Corp accounts, but was actually booked by an offshore subsidiary, then the ATO misses out on taxing the interest despite having allowed a tax deduction.

We don't know what Telstra put in its tax return with regard to share of partnership net income after tax, but it could not be too much if they made no change to the distribution booked for accounting purposes which we know includes a temporary return of the loan, described as a cash distribution.

Normally, it should have been booked as a loan back, but partners in a partnership can't lend to themselves. That seems to be why, in the consolidated Foxtel accounts, it is treated as a distribution to create negative equity. This is unusual practise and casts doubt upon the Foxtel equity statement.

It should be booked as a reduction of the loan to Foxtel Management, but that might cause a problem with the senior debt holders because the terms of the subordinated loans are that they must remain in place until senior debt has been repaid. This problem simply highlights the fact that there is something odd with the whole decision to use subordinated debt instead of equity to fund the 2012 acquisition of the Austar stake.

On the News Corp side, they originally had 25 per cent of the partnership when Foxtel made its 2012 acquisition. Someone wanted subordinated debt rather than equity and News seems to be the most likely partner. News didn't have control of the partnership but they all had to act jointly. News probably had the effective capacity to veto the equity option. The facts are they agreed to subordinated debt.

Foxtel was always going to have more cash than it needed given the intended third party borrowing structure. The senior debt seems only to have demanded a deferral in repayment of subordinated debt until they have been repaid but strangely left open the partner's ability to distribute cash to themselves and create a negative equity situation.

Anyway, having achieved the high interest rate debt option, News would benefit if that debt is held by an offshore subsidiary so that only 10 per cent withholding tax is deducted and (unlike what we have been told about the Telstra side) Australia would then miss on the tax that News Corp would be required to pay in Australia if it had injected equity through an Australian equity partner.

We don't know which company is the lender. We also don't know which company is the partner. Foxtel says that News Corporation is both, but that would mean News Corporation would have a permanent establishment in Australia and be taxed on both the profit distribution and the interest.

In its submission to the Senate, News Corp Australia  which is not a legal entity but rather an "umbrella group title" told us how much withholding tax the group paid in Australia. We know that Australian companies only acted as agents for the lender in paying it, so perhaps News Corp can advise the ATO which News Corp companies were obligated to pay Australian withholding tax out of the interest they received, which one provided the finance for the Foxtel Group and what is the country of residence of that company.

Whatever the case, the facts remain that Foxtel doesn't need the money being foisted upon it. It seems evident that such adverse terms are not in the best interests of the companies in the Foxtel Group.

It seems the partners have refused to put in equity but that third party banks have agreed to go along with this adverse financing package provided the partners' debt is subordinated.

The notes to the accounts of Foxtel show the list of loans and interest rates. The highest rate on third party loans is 7.04 per cent. They also show other successfully renegotiated loans to achieve a lower interest rate. Why then did they not renegotiate the shareholder loans down from 12 per cent as a first step?

This story is based on analysis by expert in multinational financing.

Australia's Fetch TV becomes the first to offer Netflix

From http://www.businessinsider.com.au/australias-fetch-tv-becomes-the-first-to-offer-netflix-2015-2

Fetch TV will be the first Australian pay TV provider to integrate the US giant streaming media subscription Netflix service.

Netflix, which launches in Australia at the end next month, will be available on Fetch TV’s 2nd Generation box.

From an integrated app, Fetch TV subscribers will be able to sign up and access the Netflix service.

The move is the latest in a long line by multiple players to grab a share of the infant Australian streaming media market.

Nine Entertainment and Fairfax Media have launched Stan, a $100 million joint venture. Other players include listed Quickflix, Presto by Foxtel and EzyFlix.tv.

Bill Holmes, head of business development at Netflix, said he was impressed by the Fetch TV service and its business model.

“By partnering with Fetch TV, we are making it easy for TV fans and movie lovers to watch Netflix on their televisions,” he says.

Fetch TV subscribers also watch and record free-to-air channels, access catch-up TV services, and use web based apps such as YouTube for TV.

The partnership between Netflix and Fetch TV also includes the New Zealand market.

Netflix Australia Partners With Optus As Launch Date Approaches

From http://www.pedestrian.tv/news/entertainment/netflix-australia-partners-with-optus-as-launch-da/1894c8c3-ce3e-42ad-ad9e-dbdf1288f5f3.htm

Following the release of streaming services Stan and Presto through local networks Channel 9/Fairfax and Foxtel respectively, more news on the Netflix Australia drop has been released today. As far as the streaming war that is suddenly upon us goes, Netflix has the upper-hand from its cornering of the US market, however its reported release date is in isolation of its local competitors: Stan and Presto both launched in January within weeks of each other.

The way in which you'll be able to get your grubby paws on the streaming service has been updated today, as Optus has announced that Fetch TV users will be able to access Netflix through a dedicated, integrated app.

The partnership is a big move for Netflix as it tries to establish itself in an emerging Australian market and finds ways to simplify its transition into Australian living rooms. The Australian reports that Channel 10 was also in talks with Netflix over a potential partnership - a deal that could see TV shows from 10's broadcasting rights portfolio to appear alongside Netflix's original and curated content.

Regarding what Australian Netflix consumers can expect to see, the details are currently TBA - Cnet reports, however, that not all Netflix original content will have a guaranteed place on the Australian version of the streaming service. Per Cnet, Netflix originals such as 'Bloodline', 'Marco Polo' and 'Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt' will be appearing on Netflix Australia.

Shows like 'House of Cards', however, are a trickier thing to handle. With Foxtel currently owning the local distribution rights of 'House of Cards', its appearance on Netflix is uncertain, despite it being one of Netflix's most successful original offerings. In related news, Netflix has reportedly been cracking down on Aussie users employing the magic of VPNs to access US Netflix. Market domination and an unrestricted wealth of TV at our fingertips is nigh.

As far as we know, FYI, Netflix Australia will be launching at the end of next month and monthly subsriptions will start at $9.99.

Fetch TV still open to Stan tie-up after signing deal to carry Netflix locally

From http://mumbrella.com.au/fetch-tv-signs-netflix-deal-still-open-svod-players-stan-276431

Fetch TV has confirmed a deal with Netflix that will see the subscription TV platform and its telco partners Optus, iiNet and Dodo, back the US video streaming giant as part of a looming marketing blitz that will coincide with an upcoming Australian launch of the service next month.

The deal, first mooted by Mumbrella back in November, will mean Netflix will be supported on Fetch TV’s box, giving its 170,000 customers access to the streaming service through their TVs.

Fetch CEO Scott Lorson told Mumbrella he would still be open to a similar deal with Nine Entertainment Co and Fairfax Media’s joint venture Stan, but made it clear that Netflix would be its marketing priority.

“We see Netflix as a clear front runner in the SVOD space,” Lorson told Mumbrella. “This deal has been our priority and Fetch TV and our partners will certainly be supporting them at launch.

“We don’t rule out other deals down the track and we enjoy strong relationships with many parties but our current focus is on Netflix.”

At this stage it is unclear whether the deal will mean ISPs iiNet and Optus choose not to meter Netflix content, but Lorson made it clear that from a marketing side he expected them to use the deal heavily in the looming marketing war.

“Clearly Netflix has their own plans,” he said. “But we will be promoting them heavily as well and we expect they will be strongly supported by our ISP partners in their marketing as well.”

Lorson today trumpeted the deal and argued that it was an important “tipping point” for the Fetch TV business, which is owned by Malaysian company Astro All Asia Networks.

Asked to speculate about what the new deal may do for Fetch’s subscriber numbers Lorson was coy but said he expected to see strong further growth off the back of major marketing pushes by the telcos using Netflix/Fetch TV as a hero offer to help drive their bundled offers.

“As a wholesaler we are only as good as our partners,” he said. “We expect to continue to see record results and the aspirations for the business are now being realised.”

Netflix is expected to launch in March with the US online streaming giant rumoured to have up to a $30m marketing war chest.

The partnership between Netflix and Fetch TV also includes the New Zealand market to accommodate planned expansion by Fetch TV.

Stan declined to comment on whether it would be open to joining Fetch TV.

Telstra hopeful pay-TV market will hit 70 per cent

From http://www.theage.com.au/business/telstra-hopeful-paytv-market-will-hit-70-per-cent-20150214-13d6h5.html

There are hopes new competition in subscription video will help double market penetration. Photo: Rob Homer

Telstra chief executive David Thodey is hopeful that as many as seven in 10 Australians will pay for television or video services in future versus just three in 10 today.

Mr Thodey also predicted that US giant Netflix will begin advertising between videos on its streaming platform and become much like a traditional subscription television provider.

The Telstra CEO said he was optimistic that the flurry of new competition in subscription video would help to double market penetration, which has been stagnant at 30 per cent  due in part to sports-rights protection for free-to-air TV networks. Telstra owns 50 per cent of Foxtel, which dominates Australia's pay-TV market but is facing a flood of new, cheaper competition.

US giant Netflix will become much like a traditional subscription provider, advertising between videos on its streaming platform, predicts Telstra chief David Thodey. Photo: Bloomberg

"We're all about trying to build this margin and continue to be bigger. We've got to get to 50, 60, or 70 per cent [market penetration]. I remain incredibly optimistic about the market opportunity," Mr Thodey said.

Mr Thodey welcomed the arrival into Australia of the biggest of those competitors, Netflix, which has teamed with Foxtel's internet-based television rival Fetch TV as part of its push for subscribers when it launches in March. Foxtel, the company deemed to be most under threat from streaming, has launched its own streaming service, Presto, charging from $9.99 a month versus $25 for the most basic Foxtel package.

"What we need is to drive innovation and differentiation and give people choice. In that sense, I'm happy for Presto, I'm happy for Netflix and if it makes a difference, great," Mr Thodey said.

Mr Thodey noted that distribution techniques such as internet-protocol television allow for the collection of data to help businesses better understand their customers.

"That's why going to IP is so important because you can start to look at user preference and user behaviour and that's really where you get an SVoD (subscription video on-demand) offering like Netflix or Presto," Mr Thodey said.

"Netflix started distributing diskette and look now, now they're getting into content production. I dare say they're going to get more into advertising. I think they're going to start to look more like pay TV in the future."

The land grab for customers has begun in earnest ahead of Netflix's launch. Foxtel has put Presto into a joint venture with Seven West Media and both are believed to have begun buying up SVoD rights more aggressively in recent weeks.

Thus far Stan, a joint venture between Nine Entertainment and Fairfax Media (owner of BusinessDay and The Australian Financial Review), has been investing the most heavily in original content, led by Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul, which Stan launched last week within hours of its first episode breaking US cable TV records by drawing 4.4 million viewers aged 18 to 49 on the AMC channel, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Nine, Fairfax and Seven all report half-year results this week and will be asked to indicate how early take-up of their services has gone.

The price of Netflix is yet to be announced but it is believed to be the same as Presto TV and Stan, which cost $9.99. Bundling Presto TV with movies is $14.99.

In 2014, Foxtel slashed the price of several offerings in anticipation of greater competition. Telstra has sold 800,000 T-Boxes since it launched and Mr Thodey denied that there were any plans to scrap the sales of the device in favour of passing the responsibility to Foxtel with its upcoming iQ3 set-top box.

"A lot of people are saying we're going to shut it down, no, we're going to continue, but we're always working on a refreshed product going forward," Mr Thodey said.

"We're still selling them today. We're still getting good downloads of movies and we'll continue to sell it."

Mr Thodey said it was too early to tell how Foxtel's new triple play bundle, which includes broadband, landline and cable television was going, given it launched two weeks ago, but Mr Thodey said he is not worried about cannibalisation of Telstra services.

Neon arrives, Netflix may not be far behind

From http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/66230314/neon-arrives-netflix-may-not-be-far-behind

What's on offer with Sky's internet television service Neon.

Sky Television's Neon internet television service is live and it may only be a short wait until Netflix' local service for New Zealand and Australia follows.

Sky turned on Neon on Saturday after a series of delays, while it "fine tuned" the service and then waited for Apple to load the Neon app to its iTunes store.

United States internet television company Netflix will release more details of its local service for New Zealand on Thursday, suggesting it may launch well before its slated target date of the end of next month.

Neon offers about a thousand films which can be watched any time online and dozens of television series, but no sports nor some of the latest content from HBO's studios such as the latest series of Game of Thrones.

HD streaming and support for Android devices are works in progress.

"We're confident that Kiwis will love Neon and the features it offers including the ability to bookmark where you are and resume instantly from where you left off, even if you switch to a different device," Neon general manager Dave Joyce said.

Vodafone consumer director Matt Williams said about a third of its customers were streaming video over their mobiles each week. The company is offering Neon free for six months and at half price for a further six months to customers who take up its uncapped broadband plans.

Sky TV is also offering a one-month free trial to customers of any internet provider.

Spark launched its internet television service, Lightbox, in August

Review: Neon's online streaming service

From http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/66231743/review-neons-online-streaming-service

The Chuck Norris classic Lone Wolf McQuade is one of the few movies available on Sky's new Neon streaming service.

REVIEW:

After months of delays, Sky TV's online streaming service launched over the weekend aiming to gain a foothold in the competitive market.

Neon will take on Lightbox, Quickflix and the soon-to-launch New Zealand version of Netflix in getting viewers to pay for shows that they can watch when and where they want.

Neon's app and website looks similar to other online streaming services with a simple layout and a few menus to categorise content.

The sign-up process is easy but you'll need to enter your credit card details even if you're signing up for the free one-month trial.

It has a good selection of TV shows with some big hitters such as ?Game of Thrones? and ?The Walking Dead? along with some classics such as ?Blackadder? and ?The Sopranos?. However, the movie selection is very limited with only a few hundred movies ranging from The Dark Knight Rises as its showcase offering before getting pretty average and ending with Chuck Norris in Lone Wolf McQuade.

Some of the TV shows don't have all the seasons available so if you're keen to binge watch ?Sherlock? or ?The Good Wife? you're out of luck. Also, Neon is not releasing shows as they air in the United States unlike Lightbox which uploaded ?Better Call Saul? just after it aired.

Another annoyance is that the TV series aren't all grouped under one icon. Instead, each season of a series is listed separately which makes it hard to see in one glance what is available so you need to sort alphabetically to get the best overview. This also makes the library of shows look larger than it is.

Shows took about 10 seconds to start playing (my download speed is about 25Mbs) which is not too bad. At one point the stream started to flounder a bit so if you've got a slow connection you may get frustrated.

Having shows in standard definition is going to put some people off but if you're just watching on a phone, tablet or laptop then it's not too noticeable. However if you plan to connect to your TV you'll notice quite a bit of difference from high definition.

While choosing a streaming service will largely be determined by what shows each service has, the technical side could be enough to effect your decision, especially if you've invested in a big screen TV and want to watch on the couch with your family or friends.

Also, Neon is only available on Apple devices so if you only have a that type of device and no laptop then you're out of luck. However, all the services are continually pushing out apps for various devices.

These niggles should not put you off trying Neon, but if you are considering signing up to a service it might be best to wait to see what the New Zealand version of Netflix is like so you can compare all services before committing your cash.

Neon costs $20 a month and is available on iPads and iPhones and any computer through its website.

Thaicom ups revenues 27%

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/13/thaicom-ups-revenues-27/

Thai satellite operator Thaicom enjoyed record revenues in the year to December 31st, and up 26.7 per cent on 2013, to a total Thai Baht 10 billion, and generating a normalised net profit of TB 1.83 billion. This is an increase of 62.4 per cent on the previous year (and a cash improvement of TB 704 million).

Thaicom’s profits were boosted by the company’s core satellite businesses, plus telephony and broadband connectivity. Thaicom’s satellite business contributed some 88 per cent to its overall revenues.

Discovery nets record international audiences

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/13/discovery-nets-record-international-audiences/

Discovery Networks International has closed the books on another record-setting quarter and year, making both Q4 and 2014 its best ever. Discovery’s global portfolio of flagship channels and immersive brands saw a 10 per cent increase in average audience across the portfolio (vs. 2013) as well as an average audience increase to 3.2 million (+13 per cent vs. Q4 2013). Overall, the portfolio reached a massive 654 million viewers this past quarter (+4 per cent vs. Q4 2013), marking its highest-ever international reach.

“Growing our audiences and increasing our share is a guiding principle that has led to consistent global growth for the Discovery portfolio,” said JB Perrette, President of Discovery Networks International. “We are razor-sharp in our focus to super-serve our fans on-air and online across more than 220 countries and territories. Looking ahead to 2015, we will continue to invest in new series and specials and bring our signature high-quality content across more screens to more viewers, ensuring maximum benefit for our advertisers, affiliates and audiences around the world.”

Discovery Networks International grew its audience across all brands and genres, including in these key areas:

 Channel portfolio reached 654 million viewers in Q4 2014 (+4 per cent vs. Q4 2013).
 Double-digit audience growth from networks such as Investigation Discovery (+24 per cent), TLC (+23 per cent), Animal Planet (+15 per cent), Home and Health (+33 per cent) and Discovery Kids (+27 per cent).
 Combined Free-to-Air portfolio delivered 661,000 viewers on average (+12 per cent) against Q4 2013.
 Online growth continued, with Discovery’s non-US websites increasing to an average of 73 million visitors each month, up 737 per cent vs Q4 2013.

DD Freedish revenue from e-auctions to reach Rs 120 crore by March

From http://www.indiantelevision.com/dth/dth-operator/dd-freedish-revenue-from-e-auctions-to-reach-rs-120-crore-by-march-150214

NEW DELHI: Doordarshan’s free-to-air direct-to-home Freedish platform, which was telecasting 59 channels until recently has added two more channels to its kitty. What’s more, the platform is further looking at adding three more channels to its offerings soon, taking the total number of channels to 64.

In fact, another channel will come on board the platform before the end of the month, according to deputy director general C K Jain.

Clarifying the situation, Jain told Indiantlevision.com that 61 channels had been allotted and another three would be allotted shortly. The last two channels to be allotted were Sony Pal and Dillagi, which is still to go on air.

A total of 20 e-auctions have been held so far, the latest being earlier this week. DD expects to reach a target of Rs 120 crore through these auctions by the end of March this year.

Doordarshan had set a reserve price of Rs 3.7 crore per slot for the 20th online e-auction, though Indiantelevision.com learnt that the bid amount went up to Rs 4.2 crore in the 17th e-auction held on 12 November.

The attempt is to touch the target of 112 television channels in the next few months, Jain said. He said that the delay had been partly due to some technical problems, which were being sorted.

Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar had said recently that the future of Doordarshan was in Freedish and digitisation. He had added that this may mean that some channels would have to be attracted to Freedish by means other than e-auction.

DD sources also said that while Freedish may be encrypted to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, it would however remain free-to-air.

As all these channels are on MPEG2. Freedish, which uses Insat 4B, is migrating from its old platform to a new upgraded platform with MPEG4 in an attempt to increase its capacity. The migration would result in increase of TV channels from 59 to 64 and radio channels from 22 to 24.

Sircar had said in November that while most were coming through e-auctions, some popular channels may have to be ‘attracted’ to join Freedish since satellite television was the future.

To access the upgraded platform, the viewers need to edit the transponder parameter by changing only the symbol rate from 27500Ksps to 28500 Ksps in four transponders and retune/rescan their Set Top Box (STB) to receive the upgraded TV and radio channels.

Viewers/subscribers who do not rescan their STB will continue to get ten channels for a period of seven days only from the date of upgradation. Out of these ten channels, one channel is an informative channel, which will show detailed procedure for re-tuning the STBs.

15/02/15

Sunday, no update

14/02/15

Saturday, no update

13/02/15

The AFN service is changing satellites. See Email section for instructions

The American Forces Network (AFN) is migrating to three satellites that will require people who own or lease decoders in the Pacific and afloat units in the Atlantic Ocean to repoint their satellite dishes and change settings to continue to receive TV and satellite audio services. The change will not result in a reduction in service.

“Viewers can “make the changes anytime between February 19 and April 22,” said AFN Broadcast Center spokesman George Smith. “We’ve found with previous satellite moves that some people wait until the last few weeks to make the necessary changes and encounter difficulties or lose service. What we want people to know is that we’re strongly recommending making the switch in February or March.”

Smith said cable operators, State department locations and some military units will make the changes for the official organizational decoders they have; but, those who own or lease a decoder in the Pacific region will need to realign their dish and change decoder settings.

“It’s fairly easy if you use our step-by-step illustrated instructions,” said Smith. “Best of all, some viewers will immediately realize an enhanced viewing experience. Audience members in 12 countries currently only receiving three AFN TV services will be able to receive all of them.”

Smith estimates there are approximately 15,000 AFN decoders in Japan, Korea and other locations in the Pacific. Americans who own or lease a decoder in Europe or Southwest Asia are not impacted by the satellite changes.

“We’re giving viewers impacted by the changes 24/7 user-friendly and courteous telephonic support with our help desk,” Smith said. “And we’re posting a useful step-by-step video with illustrated instructions on how to adjust a dish and a decoder.” AFN is posting its help documents at myafn.net under “Intel Sat Migration” before Feb. 19.

AFN is making the satellite moves in response to ongoing budgetary constraints and a savings of approximately $4.3 million over the remaining duration of the contract. The moves are unrelated to AFN’s ongoing efforts to field more HD TV services or offer a streaming video service.

Technical Data Sheet for Viewers in Asia (Prepared 23 Jan 15)

The American Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) is migrating to two satellites that requires people in Asia to repoint satellite dishes and change decoder settings from February 19-April 22, or they will lose American Forces Network (AFN) TV service.

Everything you need to know about the “AFN Satellite Realignment.”

If you own or lease an AFN decoder and watch AFN in the Pacific, you’ll soon need to realign your satellite dish and make some settings changes to your decoder. Come back to this site on February 19th for detailed step-by-step instructions on what you’ll need to do. We’ll give you plenty of time to make the changes.

The satellite changes are:

From: NSS-9 (C-Band).

To: IS-19 (C-Band). Land based units from the Central Pacific to Thailand are affected.

From: NSS-6 (Ku-Band), the Direct to Home satellite for viewers who primarily reside in Japan, Korea, and the Philippines.

To: NSS-6 (Ku-Band), to become the satellite which will serve our DTH satellite customers.

From http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2015/motorsport-f1-pay-tv-bombshell-49194

Fox subscription the only way for fans to follow Daniel Ricciardo’s quest for world title in full on TV this year

Australian Formula One fans wanting to follow Daniel Ricciardo’s world championship campaign this year are going to need pay-TV.

In a bombshell today, it has been announced that pay-TV service Fox will telecast all 20 F1 grands prix live and in high-definition this season, with free-to-air network Ten showing only 10 live.

The season-opening Australian GP at Melbourne’s Albert Park street circuit on March 13-15 remains one of those that Ten will continue to screen live.

But fans who want to see Ricciardo and Red Bull Racing challenge the might of Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, as well as a Ferrari team that may be on the up again, will need Fox Sports to view every GP live.

Those GPs that Ten does not simulcast live won’t be seen on the free-to-air network until 9.30pm on Mondays  and then only as a one-hour highlights package on its One channel.

F1 fans without a Fox subscription, or easy access to a venue with the pay-TV service, will have to wait five weeks after the Melbourne race to see another GP live on Ten  the fourth round of the world championship in Bahrain.

The Monaco GP, the most glamorous of the season, will be live on both Fox and Ten on May 24.

The new TV deal is for five years, but there is no sign of it extending to making the V8 Supercar non-championship races at Melbourne’s GP a round of Australasia’s major motor racing series.

That is a matter for negotiation between Fox and Formula One Management’s 84-year-old British chief executive Bernie Ecclestone.

Fox and Ten had been expected to combine in a new F1 TV deal in Australia from next year, but the news that the arrangement had been brought forward 12 months, with Fox becoming the primary telecaster this season, was a bolt of lightning this morning.

Ten, with well-publicised financial constraints, has surrendered its exclusive rights to F1 a year early  at the expense of viewers.

Australian F1 fans would have thought they had at least another year before having to pay if they want to continue to see all GPs live  as V8 Supercar fans now have to do.

Fox’s telecast of the V8 Supercar ‘Super Test’ at Sydney Motorsport Park drew only 30,000 viewers nationally last Sunday, although more than 100,000 watched a highlights package on Ten.

Fox is controlled by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation, which also owns the British host broadcaster of F1, Sky.

News Corp often has been mentioned as a potential buyer of the F1 business long run by Ecclestone and in which private equity company CVC has been the largest shareholder for the past decade.

CVC already has reduced its holding, reaping huge profits on its investment and appears intent either on selling the rest of its stake, or most of it  either in a stock market float or to a buyer prepared to pay its price, certain to be several billion dollars.

News of the Australian TV deal today came through News Corp channels, without any comment from the Australian GP Corporation.

Fox has claimed a major coup in snaring F1 in Australia, especially a year earlier than had been expected.

“This is a monumental deal for F1 fans and is in line with our V8 Supercars and MotoGP arrangements, bringing Australian viewers through Fox Sports on Foxtel live coverage of every practice, qualifying and championship race from this season,” Fox Sports chief executive Patrick Delany said.

“On top of this, we have reached an extraordinary affiliate agreement with Sky [in Britain] to deliver through Fox Sports the same incredible F1 coverage which is provided by Sky Sports in the UK.

“With live coverage of every F1 event joining V8 Supercars and MotoGP on Fox Sports in 2015 fans will see the very best motorsport in the world, all live and in high-definition.”

Foxtel chief executive Richard Freudenstein said the deal was “great news for motorsports fans and terrific for Foxtel”.

“Together with Fox Sports we have worked hard to build a truly comprehensive motorsports portfolio and F1 is, of course, an absolute jewel in the crown,” Freudenstein said.

“Not only will fans see all the races live but we will add unrivalled behind the scenes experiences and the most expert commentary available.

“Fans of motor racing will be thrilled with what they can see if they subscribe to Foxtel’s sports package.”

From http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/66138606/neon-launch-stalled-after-apple-app-delay

When it comes to dealing with technology behemoth Apple, it appears even Sky Television has little clout.

The pay-television operator was facing a final hold-up pressing the button on its internet television service, Neon, this morning as it waited for Apple to load the Neon app to the iTunes store.

The app is needed for people to sign up and watch Neon on iPhones and iPads. It will also be possible to sign-up and watch Neon on computers.

Sky Television spokeswoman Kirsty Way had hoped the app would be loaded yesterday, but cautioned it was a process over which it had no control.

Apple said it was not a matter on which it would comment.

Sky had pushed back the launch of Neon from last year to fine-tune the service, which it now believes is ready for prime time.

Vodafone has hidden terms and conditions for its Neon promotion from its website after details were spotted on the site yesterday.

Customers who sign up to its uncapped broadband plans will get Neon free for six months and at half price ($10 a month) for the following six months with no option to opt-out of the payments. Spokeswoman Fleur McFarlane said the offer was not yet "live".

It was the second time details of its offer spilled, after a less detailed advert for its Neon promotion was spotted and photographed in one of its retail outlets last week

Sommet Sports comeback: liquidated TV channel confirms PledgeMe drive

From http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/sommet-sports-comeback-liquidated-tv-channel-confirms-pledgeme-drive-ck-168630

The Sommet Sports team in a photo posted to the Freeview and Sky TV channel's Facebook page on Dec 12 last year. Reeves is third from the right.
Sommet Sports has confirmed it will make a comeback bid via a PledgeMe drive to crowdfund at least $300,000. Its boss hopes to raise as much as $1.2 million.

The original version of Sommet Sports screened as a channel on Freeview and Sky TV.

The plug was pulled on December 12 amid debts of around $2.5 million and the company was placed in liquidation (see more details in NBR's story from Monday).

She also confirms NBR's earlier report it will be a rewards drive (with goodies on offer including subscriptions) rather than crowdfunded equity.

Earlier, CEO Andrew Reeves told NBR he hoped to raise more than $300,000. He wanted "$300,000 to get back up and running, and ensure [Sommet] has a sustainable model for the future. This starts with setting up on a 24/7 streaming channel on the internet, hiring part of our team back and working on our partnership model. If $500,000 is raised Sommet Sports will go to all platforms (part time/weekends), and at $1.2 million be available 24/7."

Sommet claimed up to 4% of New Zealand’s population watched daily with a monthly cumulative viewing audience of over 1.1 million, though in its final week it failed to blip above the 2% share mark on Nielsen's radar).

The reborn Sommet will stream online, with a subscription model a la Light Box Sports or Sky TV's new $19.90 a week Fanpass  although Mr Reeves says he has ambitions to ultimately return to broadcast TV and his vision of "free sport for Kiwis" as well.

Mr Reeves says he was inpsired to crowdfund after hundreds left messages of support on Sommet Sports' Facebook page. He says 1700 registered their email addresses to learn more about his planned crowdfunding bid.

Some details have yet to emerge, such as what technology platform will be used for streaming (although Mr Reeves says he has one line up), and which sports will be on offer. Sommet's lineup as a broadcast channel included AFL, MotoGP, soccer form Germany's Bundesliga and some English Premier League games via its hook up with Liverpool FC's club channel.

More details could emerge at the official launch at 6pm at Auckland's Empire Tavern.

Subsequently, Oh!K HD and Channel M HD will be part of Astro's new Korean Pack offering, priced at RM10 monthly.

Agnes Rozario, Vice President, Content Management Group, Astro, said, "Astro was the first in Malaysia to bring dedicated 24/7 Korean channels to fans via KBS World and ONE HD channels.

Today, KBS World is accessible to all Astro customers and ONE HD is one of the most watched channels both on TV and Astro on the Go (AOTG).

Channel M is one of the strongest Asian youth and music oriented channels in the region and has been at the forefront of spreading K-culture throughout the world. Oh!K HD offers the best and latest of MBC in Korea.

With our total offering of Channel M HD, Oh!K HD, ONE HD and KBS World, Astro becomes the unrivalled destination for K-entertainment across drama, K-pop and Variety entertainment all in HD and available on the screen of your choice be it on TV or AOTG on PC, Tablet or smartphone."

"Oh!K HD and Channel M HD will also broadcast shows just hours after its first broadcast in Korea ensuring that Astro remains the easiest and fastest way for customers to watch their favourite Korean shows. Hence, we're confident that these new HD channels will be well received by our customers."

Oh!K HD (Channel 394)brings premium drama series and variety shows and music programming by the Korean broadcaster MBC, with drama titles such as, Shine or Go Crazy, broadcasted Same Day as Korea; Rosy Lovers and Four Legendary Witches.

Popular Variety and Music content shown on the channel include Infinite Challenge and I am a Singer (Season 3).

Home to the popular MNet Asian Music Awards(MAMA), Channel M HD (Channel 395)offers comprehensive content from the latest 'Hallyu' trend, from K-Pop, variety, drama and lifestyle programmes.

Channel M HD delivers the latest K-Pop content with the popular music chart programme, M!COUNTDOWN shown 24 hours after its Korean premiere. Other popular programmes include the drama Bad Guys; and variety programmes, Over Flower Series, Get It Beauty, Pony's Diary, and K Chef Battlefield 2.

Subtitles in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin will be available for the programmes on both channels and selected programmes can be watched dubbed in Mandarin and Bahasa Malaysia.

For the added convenience of customers of Korean Pack can enjoy viewing tehir favouOh!K HD and Channel M HD are also available on Astro on the Go giving our customers the ability to choose the screen of their choice be it on TV, online or on mobile.

For more information, please visit www.astro.com.my/koreanpack

Ten Sports acquires MotoGP rights

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/12/ten-sports-acquires-motogp-rights/

Ten Sports Network, the South Asian sports broadcaster, has secured exclusive rights for MotoGP, the premier World Championship for motorcycle road racing. MotoGP will, for the first time, be broadcast exclusively by a broadcaster in the Indian Sub-Continent.

This new deal between Taj TV and MotoGP rights holders Dorna Sports will run for a period of five seasons starting 2015. As a part of this deal, Ten Sports will broadcast all MotoGP, Moto2 & Moto3 races and Qualifying practices LIVE on their network of Six channels. Ten Sports will also be offering multi-screen feeds on its digital platforms and will develop a dedicated MotoGP section on www.tensports.com.

Rajesh Sethi, Global CEO of Ten Sports, said: “We are very excited to embark on this new journey with Dorna. We are committed to building this property in India over the next five years and viewers will witness unprecedented MotoGP programming initiatives on Ten Sports Network. Viewers identify MotoGP with the Ten Sports Network as can be seen with the higher MotoGP viewership numbers on Ten Sports viz a viz other networks. We have also been rightsholders for this premium property since 2006 and we are delighted to continue and take this partnership to the next level.”

Russia to Launch Four Scientific Satellites in 2015

From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russia_to_Launch_Four_Scientific_Satellites_in_2015_999.html

The Russian Federal Space Agency has already launched high resolution the Resurs-P 2 scientific spacecraft and is continuing to develop a national system for processing scientific data from satellites.

Russia will launch four Earth research satellites in 2015, the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) reports in a statement.

"In 2015, Russia will continue to develop its system for processing data from its Earth research satellites. Four more spacecraft are planned to be launched. The Resurs-P 3 satellite has a resolution of more than 1 meter, and Meteor-M 2-1 has a resolution of 50 to 70 meters, a capture range of 1,000 kilometers and is able to globally monitor Russia's territory for 72 hours. Kanopus-V-IK is equipped with infrared with infrared monitors. The Electro-L 2 geostationary meteorological satellite has equipment for global Earth monitoring," the statement says.

The government's decision to declassify Earth sensing data from domestic satellites contributed to the improvement of the quality of the imaging, Roscosmos says.

The agency has already launched high resolution the Resurs-P 2 scientific spacecraft and is continuing to develop a national system for processing scientific data from satellites.

SpaceX Launches DSCOVR Satellite To Deep Space Orbit

From http://spacefellowship.com/news/art43271/spacex-launches-dscovr-satellite-to-deep-space-orbit.html

DSCOVR is the result of a partnership between NOAA, NASA and the United States Air Force and will be used to observe and provide advanced warning of extreme emissions from the sun which can affect power grids, communications systems, and satellites close to Earth.Falcon 9’s nine Merlin engines burned for 2 minutes and 44 seconds, shutting down as expected just prior to separation of the first and second stages.

Shortly thereafter, the second stage’s Merlin Vacuum engine ignited to begin the first of two burns for a duration of approximately 1 minute.Following completion of its first burn, the second stage carrying the DSCOVR satellite coasted for the next 22 minutes. Approximately 30 minutes and 47 seconds into flight, the second stage ignited for its second burn to place the DSCOVR satellite in its parking orbit and at 35 minutes, the satellite was successfully deployed.

Ultimately, DSCOVR will be positioned at the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrangian point, 1,500,000 kilometers (930,000 mi) from Earth, more than four times farther than the Moon. SpaceX delivered DSCOVR to a parking orbit just under 200km, and the satellite will reach its final orbit 110 days after launch. While extreme weather prevented SpaceX from attempting to recover the first stage, data shows the first stage successfully soft landed in the Atlantic Ocean within 10 meters of its target. The vehicle was nicely vertical and the data captured during this test suggests a high probability of being able to land the stage on the drone ship in better weather.

Spain: 3 arrested for STB piracy

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/12/spain-3-arrested-for-stb-piracy/

The Spanish police has broken up a band of pay-TV pirates and arrested three people on charges of breaking the intellectual property by selling illegal set-top-boxes to watch pay-TV in the country.

The pirates were selling the STBs online for €150 and delivering them throughout the country. The devices had been manipulated and included illegal software that allowed access to pay-TV services without any subscription.

In Spain, football piracy is having a big impact on pay-TV operators, losing them half a million subscribers, according to the Football Association LFP.

SES launches 4K demo channel for UK

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/12/ses-launches-4k-demo-channel-for-uk/

Satellite operator SES is now broadcasting a 4K/Ultra High Definition channel over the UK and Ireland from 28.2 degrees East. The new channel is simulcasting the UHD demonstration channel that is currently at SES’s primary European orbital position of 19.2 degrees East.

The channel’s 4K clips features a mix of colourful and extremely detailed scenes that demonstrate the clarity of Ultra HD television  urban sports, exotic animals and nature, cityscapes  along with footage of SES headquarters in Betzdorf.

Through its collaboration with industry partners, SES says it is signalling its determination to continue to lead the UHD experience and make it a commercial reality. The Ultra-HD content is broadcast using the DVB UHD-1 Phase 1 specifications and is encoded in the HEVC Main 10 standard.

The 4K signals can be received with a standard satellite dish connected to an Ultra-HD flat screen TV featuring an integrated satellite tuner and HEVC decoder.

Mike Chandler, managing director of ASTRA (GB) Ltd, SES’s subsidiary in the UK said: “We are delighted to have set up this demonstration channel at the prime orbital position for the UK market. We are making use of the capacity to enable UK and Irish retailers, installers and enthusiasts to understand the technology that makes UHD possible, and what it will mean for their viewing experience. We encourage our trade partners to show our Ultra-HD demo channel at their points of sale for demonstration purposes.”

From http://www.news.com.au/technology/samsung-smart-tvs-inserting-ads-into-foxtel-movies/story-e6frfrnr-1227215696053

Not so smart ... Foxtel users have reported Samsung TVs have been inserted unwanted ads into movies. Source: Supplied

FOXTEL users have reported their Samsung Smart TVs are making the dumb move of randomly inserting ads during movies.

The problem, which has been acknowledged on Foxtel’s website as a Samsung problem, comes the day after the news media jumped on spying concerns after the wording of Samsung’s privacy terms made headlines.

BIG BROTHER: Your TV could be spying on you

The glitch, which has been reported by several people using Foxtel apps through their Samsung smart TV, is that the TV randomly inserts a Pepsi ad that displays silently on the screen.

A Foxtel spokesman today said: “This was an unintentional action by Samsung that we’re working closely with them to resolve ASAP.”

The problem came to light when Foxtel users began reporting the problem on the Foxtel support website.

Samsung released a statement this morning apologising for the glitch which it blamed on a unintended software update.

“Samsung Electronics Australia is aware of an issue that has caused some Samsung Smart TV users to experience program interruption in the form of a Pepsi advertisement,” the statement said.

“This was a result of an error that occurred as part of a recent software update that was not intended for the Australian market.

“We can confirm that the issue has now been rectified and that there are currently no plans to introduce this type of advertising in Australia in the near future. Samsung Electronics Australia would like to apologise for any inconvenience that this has caused to our customers.”

2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Live On Fiji TV

From http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/02/11/2015-icc-cricket-world-cup-live-on-fiji-tv/

Fiji cricket fans can watch 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup as from Saturday.

Fiji TV will show the New Zealand-Sri Lanka game live on the Super Channel from 10am followed by the game between Australia and England at 3:30pm on Sky Pacific Channel 49.

The third game between South Africa and Zimbabwe on Sunday will be live on Sky Pacific Channel 50 at 1pm followed by the India-Pakistan game in Melbourne at 3pm.

Two last satellites of the Oko program for identifying ballistic missile launchers ceased operating in January, the Kommersant daily wrote on Wednesday.

The launch of the first satellite Tundra of Russia’s unified space system will take place no earlier than in June, the daily said. Until then, there will be no satellites in the space echelon of Russia’s missile warning system, ITAR TASS reports.

"Oko-1 was part of Russia’s missile warning system. The system employed six satellites on geostationary and highly elliptical orbits. The last geostationary satellite got out of order in April last year. The two remaining satellites on highly elliptical orbits could operate only several hours a day. In the beginning of January, they also went out of order," Kommersant said.

The new generation early warning satellite Tundra was planned to be launched in 2013. However, the launch was postponed several times as the apparatus was not ready to be put into operation, sources in the aerospace industry told the daily.

In October 2014, Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov said that despite the deterioration of the space echelon of Russia’s missile warning system, Russia "has almost no unprotected territories" thanks to radars. "Today we have a solid information space, we are protected well from all potentially dangerous directions," Borisov noted.

From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Missing_Planes_UKs_Inmarsat_Says_Live_Flight_Tracking_Ready_In_Weeks_999.html

London-based communications company Inmarsat says live flight-tracking - that could have established the whereabouts of flight MH370 which disappeared in the Indian Ocean - could be ready within weeks.

Inmarsat is proposing a free global airline tracking service as part of the proposed adoption of further aviation safety service measures by the world's airlines following the loss of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370. It is offering a live data tracking device that would be triggered in the event of a deviation from flight-path.

Inmarsat was appointed as a technical adviser to the UK Air Accident Investigation Branch on Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 after having investigated the Doppler effect of the last available data received from the aircraft.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 vanished from civilian radar screens less than an hour after take-off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing with 239 people on board on March 8, 2014. Investigators say what little evidence they have to work with, including the loss of communications, suggests the Boeing 777 diverted thousands of kilometres from its scheduled route. The main body of the aircraft has never been found.

Despite an extensive search, there is still no evidence of what happened to the flight, the sea-search for which has been called off. However, calls have been made for full flight tracking of aircraft in the future, so that aircraft data can be transmitted in live-time, rather than being done via a transponder (that can be switched off) and flight data and cockpit voice recorders (that can only be recovered after wreckage).

Black Box in the Cloud
Inmarsat has announced its support of the regulatory body, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), and its recommendations to enhance aviation safety, saying it is ready to help in the adoption of a standard for global tracking of commercial aircraft. In a company statement, it said a "safety solution could be up and running in a matter of weeks".

The ICAO wants to see flight tracking implemented as quickly as possible as part of the proposed Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS). Inmarsat has been heavily involved in the development of Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Contract (ADS-C) on board aircraft that supports flight tracking activities.

Mary McMillan, Vice President of Safety and Operational Services at Inmarsat, said: "Inmarsat is looking forward to working with ICAO, member states, airlines and all air navigation stakeholders leading to an expedited implementation of the GADSS concept", says McMillan.

Over 90% of today's wide-bodied trans-oceanic aircraft are currently equipped with avionics compatible for ADS-C use, meaning it can be rapidly deployed to ensure global harmonisation and operational seamlessness. ADS-C provides active aircraft position tracking by transmitting the aircraft's current position and the next two planned positions, allowing flight dispatchers and air traffic controllers to track the aircraft's progress and predict its next position.

Inmarsat is proposing an enhanced position reporting facility to support reduced in-flight aircraft separation, and a 'black box in the cloud' service, under which - on the back of certain defined trigger events (such as an unapproved course deviation) - historic and real-time flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder information can be streamed off an aircraft to defined aviation safety recipients.

The service is being offered to all 11,000 commercial passenger aircraft, which are already equipped with satellite connection, virtually 100% of the world's long haul commercial fleet. It is hoped the new technology could finally track every aircraft and put an end to the speculation about the tragedy of MH370.

Associated Press expands live video choice

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/10/associated-press-expands-live-video-choice/

In response to a significant growth in demand for live content from its subscribers, The Associated Press is planning a number of new initiatives in 2015 to help media organisations continue to focus on video as a primary storytelling tool. AP launched live video content on its AP Video Hub platform in 2012. In the fourth quarter of 2013 the platform delivered 39 live events, but with demand continuing to increase this grew significantly to 125 live events in the fourth quarter of 2014.

To meet this, AP has added the ability for customers to simultaneously stream more than one event at a time, with a significantly wider content choice. The expanded streaming choice will cover more regional interest stories, from Papal visits to US politics and EU Summits; more technology events, including all the key annual shows; as well as more entertainment, culture and lifestyle content.

“Live is starting to play a larger role within our customer’s editorial strategy and they want to include more of it in their site’s content  not just as a stand-alone concept but also to allow richer storytelling in other areas,” said Sue Brooks, director of international products and platforms for AP. “Not only does live content drive more traffic to a site but it also increases the time that the audience spends there, which is significantly longer than with static content.”

NHK WORLD TV launch on UK TVPlayer

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/10/nhk-world-tv-launches-in-uk-on-tvplayer/

Japan International Broadcasting, the distribution arm of NHK, and live streaming and Catchup TV solutions provider Simplestream are partnering NHK WORLD TV to live TV streaming service TVPlayer.

NHK WORLD TV is a stand-alone, 24-hour, English-language television news and lifestyle network produced by NHK, Japan’s sole public, independent broadcaster. The Japanese channel is currently available in 280 million households worldwide and in more than 150 countries and regions.

“Simplestream has become one of the most exciting media companies in Europe,” said Yoshihiko Shimizu, President and CEO, Japan International Broadcasting. “We are delighted to partner with them to deliver a variety of top quality and compelling international news and entertainment via their TVPlayer platform in the United Kingdom.”

NHK WORLD TV provides a 24-hour programming cycle, including the network’s signature news show, NEWSLINE, as well as a vast selection of technology, lifestyle and entertainment programmes, including J-TECH, great gear, TOKYO FASHION EXPRESS, Kawaii International, SPORTS JAPAN, and Go, Kitchen, GO!. In addition, the channel offers shows focusing on various perspectives on world financial affairs, such as ASIAN VOICES, Asia This Week and ASIA BIZ FORECAST.

“It’s really important that we offer as wide a range of content as possible to our users on TVPlayer,” said TVPlayer’s Commercial Director Dan Finch. “With NHK WORLD TV now available on TVPlayer across multiple devices, including channel 241 on Freeview, we can now bring a diverse range of quality Japanese programming to the masses here in the UK. NHK WORLD TV will further enhance the platform that resonates with the millennial generation that is the core TVPlayer viewer,” he added.

NHK WORLD TV is available to watch on tvplayer.com, by downloading the TVPlayer app from the App Store, Google Play, the Amazon AppStore, Amazon Fire TV and via channel 241 on Freeview.

HbbTV 2.0 specs published

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/10/hbbtv-2-0-specs-published/

The HbbTV Association, a global initiative dedicated to providing an open standard for the delivery of broadcast and broadband services through connected TVs and set-top boxes, has released the new HbbTV 2.0 specification.

HbbTV 2.0 paves the way for a new wave of consumer TV services based on advances including companion device support, HTML5 user experiences and support for advanced video delivery features like Ultra HD and HEVC. The HbbTV Association anticipates that manufacturers, broadcasters, and operators will begin introducing a new generation of interactive broadcast and broadband TV services in 2016.

With HbbTV 2.0, consumers will be able to enjoy a wide range of new services including:

 Advanced user experiences based on HTML5
 Seamless viewing of video content across TV, Smartphones, PCs and Tablets
 Innovative companion applications that enhance the TV experience with detailed programme info, voting, play to screen and other use cases
 Standardised delivery of Ultra HD content with HEVC
 Improved accessibility of services with better support for subtitles in multiple languages
 Access to broadcast content captured to local storage in the receiver
 Support for consumer privacy

Broadcasters, pay TV operators and OTT video providers will benefit from the many new features in the HbbTV 2.0 specification, including:

 Synchronisation of broadcast and broadband streams to augment the broadcast stream with additional audio channels and other advanced features
 Media and application synchronisation between TV, tablets and smartphones
 Secure playback for adaptive streaming technologies
 Support for new advertising models

To achieve these benefits, the new specification adds a range of new technologies and features including support for HTML5, DVB CI Plus 1.4, HEVC video and TTML subtitles. It also enhances support for existing technologies including MPEG DASH, DSM-CC object carousel, synchronisation of apps to TV and user input. It is designed to ensure that HbbTV 1.0 and HbbTV 1.5 applications will continue to work on HbbTV 2.0 devices.

The HbbTV Association is also immediately launching its tender process for the supply of an HbbTV 2.0 Test Suite. It is anticipated that the test suite will become available in 2016, enabling the launch of HbbTV 2.0 compliant products and services that year.

“The HbbTV Association is pleased to announce the HbbTV 2.0 specification which sets the stage to introduce exciting new services in 2016. The specification benefits consumers and broadcasters by introducing new and innovative ways for enjoying TV programming” said Klaus Illgner, Chair, HbbTV Association. “With HbbTV 2.0, consumers will be able to explore a richer, more immersive experience with new applications, exciting user interfaces and support for companion devices. This is an important milestone for the industry and represents the efforts of HbbTV Association members who have worked to define the specifications for the next wave of TV based on HbbTV.”

DD can share World Cup signals with cable operators: Supreme Court

From http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/terrestrial/dd-can-share-world-cup-signals-with-cable-operators-supreme-court-150210

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has stayed the order of the Delhi High Court barring Doordarshan from sharing the signals of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 with cable operators.

The leave petition will meanwhile be heard on 17 February by when ESPN and Star Sports will submit their replies.

In its judgment, the High Court had refused to strike down the must carry clause under which cable operators have to carry signals of Doordarshan nor the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act 2007.

A bench of Justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Sanjeev Sachdeva passed the order on the plea of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), ESPN and Star who had contended that cable TV operators were getting live feeds through DD channels free of cost, resulting in loss of revenue for them.

In its order, the Court refused to strike down a 2000 notification issued by Prasar Bharati, which made it mandatory for cable operators to carry DD National and DD News channels. Simultaneously, the court also rejected the additional prayers by ESPN Star to strike down Section 3 of the Sports Act, which makes it mandatory for them to share with Prasar Bharati the live feed of sporting events of national importance.

DD officials said the Mandatory Sharing Act was clear that matches would have to be shared with DD on its terrestrial network and via its direct-to-home Freedish. An official said the directive by the Court appeared to be a precautionary measure aimed at warning cable operators who pirate the signals and not Doordarshan.

In the order, the High Court had said, “The appeal as well as writ petition (civil) 8458/2007 are allowed to the extent that the live broadcasting signal shared by ESPN/Star by virtue of the Sports Act with Prasar Bharati, shall not be carried in the designated Doordarshan channels under the must carry obligation cast by the Cable TV Network Act on cable operators. This shall operate prospectively.”

In its directive, the Court had also observed that while the advertisement revenue received by DD in respect of the shared content of the sports channels was to be shared in the ratio of not less than 75:25, “it still does not cater to the loss of subscription revenue” by ESPN and Star.

BCCI, Nimbus Communications Ltd and the two sports channels (ESPN and Star) had challenged the High Court's single judge November 2007 order rejecting their pleas that no cable television network, Direct-to-Home (DTH) Network, multi-system network or local cable operator could broadcast such sports events without a licence from the content owners.

Cricket World Cup 2015: tune in to Fox Sports for Australia’s first 24-hour cricket channel

From http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/icc-world-cup-2015/cricket-world-cup-2015-tune-in-to-fox-sports-for-australias-first-24-hour-cricket-channel/story-e6frf3ju-1227213720535

FOX SPORTS and Foxtel have launched the first 24-hour cricket channel in Australian television history ahead of the Cricket World Cup.

Aussie cricket stars Mitchell Johnson and Steve Smith were on site at the Foxtel Sports Hub at Melbourne’s Crown Casino Riverwalk on Monday night to officially launch FOX SPORTS’ 49-day coverage of world cricket’s showpiece event.

From February 9 until March 29, FOX SPORTS channel 503 (FOX SPORTS 3) will feature nothing but cricket programming, 24-hours-a-day, including all 49 matches of this year’s tournament LIVE in High Definition.

FOX SPORTS CEO Patrick Delany, said: “For the next 49 days, FOX SPORTS is transformed into a celebration of cricket and this fantastic occasion of the World Cup returning home for the first time in 23 years.

“Not only will FOX SPORTS be the home of every game LIVE in HD with a dedicated Cricket World Cup Channel, we will deliver our famous red button enhancements and an unprecedented array of cricketing greats to bring the tournament to life.

Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein, said: “If you love cricket, there is no better time to get FOX SPORTS, especially on the back of Foxtel’s great new pricing. This promises to be the greatest Cricket World Cup television experience we’ve ever seen in Australia.”

FOX SPORTS has assembled an extraordinary cast of former and current greats to lead its commentary team headlined by West Indian “Prince” Brian Lara, 1987 World Cup-winning Australia skipper Allan Border, colourful England star Kevin Pietersen, Mark Waugh, Damien Fleming, Brendon Julian and current Aussie stars Ryan Harris and Ellyse Perry.

The FOX SPORTS Red Button feature through Foxtel will be available at any time during every match, enabling fans to gain instant access to alternative camera angles, the latest news, detailed stats and match highlights.

Fans will even be alerted to approaching milestones while watching other FOX SPORTS channels, with viewers to be warned to tune in to the cricket when a player nears a century or a key wicket falls.
(Craig's comment, this is no big deal most pay tv services are doing the same. There are two games a day and both matches overlap each other. So two channels are required)

Vodafone Australia to get Netflix-style service in 2015

From http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/vodafone-australia-to-get-netflixstyle-service-in-2015-20150209-139pcr.html

Vodafone Hutchison Australia chief executive Inaki Berroeta says the company will include Netflix-style video-on-demand services for some users in 2015 as part of a push to grow customers and revenue over the next 12 months.

Mr Berroeta said he could not provide firm numbers such as subscriber levels to help judge Vodafone Australia's performance because it will release its half-year results later this month.

But he said the company had hit its goals in 2014 and was launching a new three-year plan to win back mobile customers in the face of tough competition from Telstra and SingTel-Optus. This would include at least 30 more retail stores across the country and more content partnerships over the next 12 months.

"Content is about the kind that our customers generate and the kind that our customers like and they want to get from the internet," he said. "Very soon we will be announcing more in this field and we will also include video in our offering, which I think is fantastic.

"What we want is to make sure we have a spread of offerings that is able to address our different customer needs."

Vodafone Australia has been signing up partners including Fairfax Media and music streaming service Spotify in an effort to offer users months of free access to premium content and rehabilitate its image amidst falling subscriber levels.

One of Vodafone Australia's parent companies is Vodafone Group in the UK, which has a partnership with Netflix. But Mr Berroeta was not able to say which streaming video-on-demand service will be included for customers.

"There [are] a lot of strong partners and what is important is we're able to choose partners that give good value to our customers," he said. "A lot of people already use these content services on their own but what we see is when we are packaging these services inside our plan the adoption is much greater."

The battle for video-on-demand dominance has ramped up in the past month with Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment's Stan service launching on Australia Day a week after Foxtel and Seven West Media's Presto TV streaming service.

Global giant Netflix is due to launch by March 2015 and HBO Go is expected to offer its own subscription services around the world later this year.

Vodafone's rivals including Optus are also driving hard to sign partnerships with global content providers. Optus's new chief executive Allen Lew has a strategy of bundling content into mobile packages while offering unlimited cable broadband downloads to entice customers and keep them loyal.

Foxtel recently launched its own range fixed-line internet services and sees bundling as a key to its success. But Mr Berroeta said that while Vodafone Australia will consider offering fixed-line services over the next three years these were not vital for the survival or success of telcos.

"It's normal that they say that because they have bundles," he said.

Mr Berroeta also said Vodafone Australia would launch carrier aggregation services, which combine several different bands of radio spectrum to boost speeds, in the first three months of 2015.

RTL CBS channel for Hong Kong

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/09/rtl-cbs-channel-for-hong-kong/

RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network has sealed a carriage deal which will bring the general entertainment channel, RTL CBS Entertainment HD, to Hong Kong on PCCW’s now TV platform. From February 10th, RTL CBS Entertainment HD will potentially reach over one million pay-TV households through now TV.

“We are delighted to bring the channel to viewers in Hong Kong and to partner with such an accomplished operator as now TV,” says Jonas Engwall, Chief Executive Officer, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network. “Hong Kong is an important market where viewers demand high quality content and we are very happy to meet their expectations with our outstanding shows.”

The launch of RTL CBS Entertainment HD on now TV comes on the heels of the Channel’s recent programming announcement on bringing House of Cards Season 3 to viewers in the region on the same day as its US release.

HOOQ debuts in the Philippines

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/10/hooq-debuts-in-the-philippines/

Just one week after its establishment, Asia’s video-on-demand service HOOQ, is to launch in the Philippines from late February in partnership with Globe Telecom.

HOOQ, a start-up joint venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros. Entertainment, will enable customers of Globe Telecom to enjoy unlimited online streaming access and an offline viewing option to top Hollywood and Filipino movie and television content, via any device including computers, smartphones and tablets.

Filipinos can look forward to more than 10,000 movies and television episodes and TV shows including titles from partners Sony and Warner Bros. Customers can watch Hollywood movies such as Harry Potter, Spider-Man and Inception, while enjoying popular TV series such as Gossip Girl, Friends and Smallville.

Local film and TV content will also be available through partnerships with the country’s top studios, such as GMA, Viva Communications, Regal Entertainment, and ABS-CBN.

“Across the emerging economies, people have amazing stories and love stories. However, a few billion people have no quality way of seeing the best stories from Hollywood or their local market. HOOQ will change that. HOOQ will change the way people in emerging markets consume and enjoy entertainment,” said HOOQ Chief Executive Officer, Peter G. Bithos. “The Philippines is a natural first market for us. Filipinos’ dual love of local and Hollywood content combined with their digital savviness makes the Philippines a perfect place for us to start,” he added.

According to a Nielsen report in 2014, viewing online video content has become a pastime for digital consumers in the Philippines, with 85 per cent watching at least weekly, the second highest in the region. The same report also revealed that seven in 10 digital consumers in the country report watching TV content and movies via online sources such as video-on-demand, the second highest penetration of Internet TV in the region at 71 per cent.

“Now more than ever, Filipinos consider connectivity as an essential part of their daily lives. Our customers, whether prepaid, postpaid, or broadband, are increasingly embracing an always-on world where they expect a wonderful experience from innovative and engaging data and content offers,” commented Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe Telecom. “We see the video-on-demand services offered by HOOQ as a critical offering representing the future of the industry. Now that consumers have access to a variety of international and local content, entertainment will now be more personal, and with Globe, this means experiencing it with the highest quality,” he added.

Recognising the value that video-on-demand services deliver to consumers, Globe Telecom will provide its customers with the ability to download HOOQ, which will soon be available to customers on a plan-based service for Philippine Peso 199 per month (€3.95) for access to thousands of movies, far more affordable than buying a ticket for just one movie. It will also be offered as a bundled service with the telco’s GoSURF and Tattoo broadband services.

The service will also be accessible to all customers in the Philippines through its website  http://HOOQ.tv. Through HOOQ.tv, customers can watch videos of their choice and pay for the subscription by credit card.

Irdeto: Piracy needs more powerful countermeasures

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/09/irdeto-piracy-needs-more-powerful-countermeasures/

According to Andrew Wajs, CTO at multiscreen, revenue assurance and media protection solutions specialist Irdeto, tackling next-generation content distribution, protection and monetisation challenges requires more than just technology, with operators needing to take a more holistic, end-to-end approach to thrive.

Speaking to the Cable Congress Blog in advance of the event March 11th  13th in Brussels, Wajs notes that advancements in technology combined with increasing broadband availability and speed have allowed pirates to adapt, making content redistribution the biggest threat currently facing pay-TV operators and rights holders.

“As little as 2 to 3mbps is sufficient to access hundreds of pirated pay-TV channels and movies from almost everywhere in the world, in HD or near HD quality. Beyond broadband capability, pirate OTT devices on the market today can provide functionality and a user experience that can challenge even the best pay-TV offerings,” he advises.

Wajs notes that many pirate OTT services also have professional websites with effective marketing and offer a ‘plug and play’ philosophy with support. Some even tout money-back guarantees. As a result, many people who consume pirated content do so unintentionally due to these legitimate-looking subscriptions and offers.

“This new sophistication of piracy requires increasingly powerful countermeasures. Pay-TV operators and content owners, especially sports rights holders that are dealing with a short monetisation window, must rely on a wide range of technologies, automated mechanisms and global collaboration networks to disrupt piracy,” he suggests.

Countermeasures recommended by Wajs include discovering how pirates market to consumers (linking sites, social media and piracy ads); tracking and disabling illegal streams in real time; tracing back to the origin of the pirate stream with advanced forensic techniques and catching the real criminals behind piracy through investigation and evidence collection for prosecution.

According to Wajs, the industry is witnessing an “unparalleled” change in how media is consumed as a result of the increasing nature of IP connected devices  and those changes continue to accelerate with the availability of broadband and expanded distribution of new devices worldwide.

“As a result, home networking, the Internet of Things and other new advancements such as 4K are driving innovation and presenting a myriad of opportunities and challenges. For example, 4K promises enhanced quality, navigation and varied business models. 4K will be synonymous with responsiveness, openness and flexibility in both technology and consumer engagements, but it won’t come without risks and new mandates from rights holders and Hollywood studios. Those operators who can think outside ‘the box’ will be able to manage these risks, adhere to new requirements and find opportunities to drive their business forward,” he says.

Sky’s new 4K technology cycle

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/09/skys-new-4k-technology-cycle/

Sky UK is working hard behind the scenes to secure broadcasting rights to the English Premier League for the 2016-2019 seasons, and according to Guy Bisson from media analysis firm Ampere, likely to be paying around a 64 per cent increase in costs. The auction results could be known within hours.

But this might just be the ‘calm before the storm’ if a a note from investment banker Berenberg is a guide. The bank says: “While the Premier League auction is obviously the nearest-term catalyst to a change in consensus estimates, we think there are other signs that Sky will invest more in its business in future, and that estimates are likely too high.”

The “too high” comment refers to an expectation that Sky is going to have to fund much higher investments in original programming in order to fight off the similar actions from Netflix and Amazon. Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch is on the record admitting to putting well above the current £600 million into fresh programming (and matching ITV’s £1 billion figure).

But Berenberg also states that Sky is now obliged to enter a new investment cycle in terms of hardware. “Sky confirmed last week that it would be spending money on new, improved NOW TV receivers. There have also been press reports about ‘Project Ethan’, a plan to roll out new Ultra HD compatible boxes, which may be given to customers to secure their loyalty ahead of BT’s Champions League launch. We note that Ultra HD is clearly gathering pace globally, with services already launched in the US and in India, and we suspect Sky will, as usual, be a leader, rather than a follower, in respect of new services, particularly given how competitive the UK pay-TV market has become.”

UKTV Play launches on Android

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/09/uktv-play-launches-on-android/

UK media company UKTV has launched its TV application UKTV Play on Android.

UKTV’s on demand service, which is already available on iOS, PC and YouView, gives viewers easy access to watch their favourite programmes from UKTV’s popular free-to-air channels, whenever and wherever they are.

The free UKTV Play app offers a catalogue of hit shows from the UK’s most watched non-PSB channel, Dave, popular entertainment channel Really and the UK’s number one factual history channel, Yesterday. Now Android users can enjoy instant entertainment, with some of UKTV’s greatest programmes including Suits, Storage Hunters UK, Crackanory, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled, Forbidden History, Inquisition, The Sixties, Crime Stories, Most Haunted and Ghost Adventures, along with a selection of BBC shows, available to watch on demand.

Dan Fahy, UKTV’s Director, Commercial and Business Development, said the broadcaster had created UKTV Play so that viewers could watch UKTV’s great shows anytime, anywhere. “When we launched UKTV Play on iOS last year, Apple chose to feature it as one of their ‘Best New Apps’, which is testament to its popularity, design and functionality. I feel confident the millions of people with Android devices are going to really love it too,” he stated.

The news follows the launch of the service on PC and YouView in November, and the launch earlier in February 2015 of UKTV Play on Virgin On Demand, which offers catch up for all of UKTV’s ten channels.

(Craig's comment, this might worth a look if you have a VPN or DNS service that allows access to a U.K i.p)

Samsung warns about its ‘eavesdropping TV’

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/09/samsung-warns-about-its-eavesdropping-tv/

Samsung is warning its customers to avoid discussing personal information in front of their smart TVs. The cautionary note is for viewers who control their Samsung Smart TV using its voice activation feature. Such TV sets ‘listen’ to every conversation held in front of them and may share any details they hear with Samsung or third parties, it said.

The Daily Beast published an excerpt of a section of Samsung’s privacy policy for its net-connected Smart TV sets. The policy explains that the TV set will be listening to people in the same room to try to spot when commands are issued. It goes on to warn: “If your spoken words include personal or other sensitive information, that information will be among the data captured and transmitted to a third party.”

Samsung has issued a statement to clarify how voice activation works. It said the privacy policy was an attempt to be transparent with owners in order to help them make informed choices about whether to use some features on its Smart TV sets, adding that it took consumer privacy “very seriously”.

Samsung said: “If a consumer consents and uses the voice recognition feature, voice data is provided to a third party during a requested voice command search. At that time, the voice data is sent to a server, which searches for the requested content then returns the desired content to the TV.” It added that it did not retain voice data or sell the audio being captured.

(Craig's comment, I wonder if the NSA has shares in Samsung!)

Netflix launches in Cuba

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/10/netflix-launches-in-cuba/

Internet film and TV subscription service Netflix is launching in Cuba, taking advantage of improved Internet access and the wider availability of credit and debit cards.

People in Cuba with Internet connections and access to international payment methods are now able to subscribe to Netflix and instantly watch a curated selection of popular movies and TV shows.

“We are delighted to finally be able to offer Netflix to the people of Cuba, connecting them with stories they will love from all over the world,” said Netflix co-founder and CEO Reed Hastings. “Cuba has great film-makers and a robust arts culture and one day we hope to be able to bring their work to our global audience of over 57 million members.”

Netflix began offering its service in Latin America in 2011 and now counts over 5 million members, enjoying millions of hours of films and TV series for a low monthly price.

Isro to launch its first US satellite, for startup Skybox

From http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/science/isro-to-launch-its-first-us-satellite-for-startup-skybox/articleshow/46184100.cms

BENGALURU: The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will launch its first American satellite later this year or early next year. This is from the company Skybox Imaging, which was bought by Google after it signed the contract with Isro. Skybox is planning to launch a series of satellites from other places for highresolution imaging.

Google reportedly has big plans to enter the space industry, and is planning a constellation of 180 satellites in low earth orbit, which will provide Internet access throughout the world. According to earlier reports, the cost of this constellation will be somewhere between $1 billion and $3 billion. Isro signed the deal with Skybox in April 2014.

Skybox Imaging is a startup company from Stanford University. It was set up to bring a new per spective on the world, by providing high-quality images of any spot without being more than a few hours old at any time. It achieves this through satellites that are cheap to make although short to last. It has launched two satellites already and will launch 22 more in the future.

These images are supposed to provide information about events that are rapidly chang ing. Skybox achieves this through its data analytics plat form, which can go through imag es and spot chang es quickly. Its near-real-time images through out the day will be useful for many companies in many industries.

It will help in di It will help in disaster monitoring as well.

For Isro, this 110-kg satellite would be a small passenger riding on the back of a larger domestic satellite, which influences the orbital parameters of the passenger as well. Isro has limited spare capacity for launches till its GSLV variants are ready.

From http://www.zdnet.com/article/nbn-co-clamps-down-on-interim-satellite-service/

Summary:NBN Co is capping its interim satellite services at 50GB per month for all customers in a bid to minimise capacity issues.

NBN Co has begun clamping down on high-download users of the interim satellite service, issuing a 50GB limit on monthly downloads.

In March last year, the government invested another AU$18.4 million to improve the capacity on the interim satellite services on offer to regional and remote areas. The service had been at capacity for several months, with 9,000 more customers waiting to join ahead of the launch of two NBN Co-owned satellites at the end of 2015.

Under the agreement, capacity was to be increased by one third, from 30Kbps to 40Kbps, and the new arrangements will see their download speeds in peak periods increase from below 500Kbps to above 1.5Mbps.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull said at the time that as part of the agreement, NBN Co would introduce a fair use policy to crack down on users taking up "abnormally high amounts of capacity".

Since then, the number of subscribers has continued to decline, down from 43,000 at the end of June to 40,000 as of the end of January this year.

NBN Co now appears to be enforcing its fair use policy. According to an email sent to retail service providers and passed on to customers, seen by ZDNet, the company has told retail service providers to withdraw any large data allowances.

"Under a directive from NBN Co, RSPs are no longer able to offer and provide plans that allow the customer to approach 50GB of peak-hour usage during any four-week period," SkyMesh told its customers over the weekend.

Additionally, NBN Co is enforcing a 9.7GB download average over a four-week period. The company told retailers that this new limit is only expected to impact around 5 percent of users on the interim satellite service.

It comes as NBN Co is facing a three-month delay for its satellite launch due to Arianspace's inability to find an appropriate launch partner for the first satellite.

The company also announced on Monday that it had completed the construction of its 10 satellite stations around Australia.

NSW is home to three ground stations, while there are four in Western Australia, and one each in Queensland, Tasmania, and South Australia.

Each is made up of two 13.5-metre satellite dishes.

Stations at Kalgoorlie and Wolumla have an additional two satellites each for backup and tracking.

Satellite architect Julia Dickinson said that advancing internet services in rural areas would help put Australians on a level playing field.

"With no access to any other form of commercial broadband service, some rural and regional Australians are still using dial-up internet," she said.

NBN Co's satellites promise internet speeds a hundred times faster than current dial-up for regional Australia

From http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-09/nbn-groundstations-ready-for-satellite-launch/6075626

Faster broadband internet is a step closer for rural and remote homes and businesses today.

NBN Co has announced it has completed 10 ground stations that are the backbone for the new satellites.

But 400,000 regional premises still have to wait until 2016 to connect to the two satellites, which will be launched later this year from French Guiana.

Currently Australia is 44th down the list of internet connection speeds (Akamai Third Quarter, 2014).

Parents of boarding school or university aged students hear loud complaints when they come home and blow the download plans, with their smart phones and web browsing.

"Once they are at boarding school, they discover fast internet, download movies, have 15 tabs open at once and do research on the internet," said Mary Killeen, who lives 200 kilometres south of Longreach in outback Queensland, on the Barcoo River.

"Once they get home everyone is crying because they've exceeded the plans they've paid for.

"I've waited ten minutes for a page to open to do my banking, once the plan has expired."

NBN Co acknowledged last year it had seriously underestimated the uptake of its interim satellite services and the system had slowed for country users.

"We've also put in place a 'fair-use' policy, which will make sure that everyone uses the service fairly."

The satellites have been built in the United States and are currently being rigorously tested.

"It's been shaken on a shaker table to simulate the launch vibration," said Ms Dickinson.

"It's been put in an acoustic chamber with the sound of the launch blasted at it to make sure it can withstand those impacts," Ms Dickinson said.

Once the satellite is launched, it will fly high, at 36,000 kilometres above the equator, avoiding the risk of striking any floating space junk.

NBN's ground stations have been built at Bourke, Wolumla and Broken Hill in NSW, at Carnarvon, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Waroona in Western Australia, and Roma in Queensland, as well as Geeveston in Tasmania and Ceduna in South Australia.

"They will be the backbone to the satellite service," Ms Dickinson said.

"So you have a small dish on your home or office, sending signals to the internet through our satellites and back down to one of our ten ground stations."

The speed difference for internet users to download a movie will be more like 20 minutes than nine days.

"The wholesale speeds will be providing 25 Megabits per second download and 5 Mbps upload," Ms Dickinson said.

"That's about 100 times faster than what regional people get with dial-up."

To mark the occasion, school kids are invited to send in a drawing or painting, showing what difference the NBN will make to Australia.

Ironically, they can enter through the NBN Co website, or if that is still a year away, they can post the entry to NBN Co.

An entry form can be found in the Total Girl or KZone publications on Sale 16 February, 2015 and can post their entry into NBN Co.

Australia is sending satellites to space to get Internet to the outback

From http://mashable.com/2015/02/09/australia-satellite-internet/

Ariane 5 rocket being launched by Arianespace.

The Australian government is taking connectivity to new heights, with the launch of two satellites into space to provide Internet access to regional Australia.

The company behind the government's National Broadband Network (NBN) announced on Monday work on its 10 satellite ground stations is complete. Each station will comprise of two 13.5-metre satellite dishes and are situated in New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia.

Following a recent report putting Internet speeds in Australia at 44th in the world, it is hoped the next-generation Ka-band satellite technology will bring 400,000 households in the bush up to speed with their city counterparts.

The first satellite is planned for an October or November 2015 launch, with the second following a few months later. Satellite architect for NBN Co. Julia Dickinson told Mashable exact scheduling is difficult due to external factors controlled by the European company launching the rocket, Arianespace.

Arianespace has been behind 63 successful launches in a row, according to Dickinson, and is a "real workhorse." It was for this reason the company was selected to send the purpose-designed broadband satellites into space.

The two satellites, a first from Australia for Internet coverage, will see the speed of a movie download reduce from more than three days using dial-up, to under 10 minutes. While opening a web page will decrease from 58 seconds using dial-up to 0.13 seconds.

“ Some Australians that live in remote and regional areas, have limited access to commercial broadband services and are still using dial-up Internet

Some Australians that live in remote and regional areas, have limited access to commercial broadband services and are still using dial-up Internet," Dickinson said. "They will now get access to 100 times faster download speeds."

Dickinson said slow Internet speeds are "way to common" in these areas and the problem needed to be resolved. "[Those in regional Australia] should be getting Internet as good as anyone else. It will bridge the digital divide between city and country."

The NBN roll-out attempt has faced great controversy in Australia. Under the initial Labor Government, concerns were raised over the excess use of taxpayers' dollars, while there has been heated debate regarding the current Liberal-National Government's plan to rollout Multi-Technology Mix (MTM)  consisting of fibre to the node (FTTN), fixed wireless and satellite technology  compared to the previous fibre-to-the-premises (FFTP) plan.

Many commenters believe the former government's FTTP proposal would have taken longer to build, but would put the country in a good position for many future decades. FTTN technology has often been dismissed as a short-term solution for a long-term problem and with unstable and slower connection speeds (up to 50Mbps) compared to FTTP (up to 100Mbps).

In the rural areas of Australia the need for access often outweighs the need for speed. These two satellites, which will project 101 torch-like beams to cover Australia and five nearby islands, will provide regional areas with a download speed of up to 25Mbps and an upload speed of 5Mbps.

Joining 1,100 active satellites circling the earth right now, the two satellites, weighing in at 6,300kgs, are two of the largest commercial satellites even launched, according to NBN Co. To put it in some kind of perspective, the technological beasts are the size of an African elephant, or 87 red kangaroos.

The satellites have been put through rigorous planning and building processes, including testing over the course of three years in extremely hot and cold conditions. Once they are in position, the satellites will travel at speeds of up to 28,000 km/h, circling the globe a total of 14 times a day.

NBN Co. says the satellites can send data up and down simultaneously, at speeds of more than a billion bits transmitted every second.

Australian cities may not have fibre-to-the-home in the near future, but at least those in isolated areas might be able to finally watch this hungry goat get his head caught in a chip packet.

Rupert Murdoch's grip on News Corp slipping

From http://www.theage.com.au/business/rupert-murdochs-grip-on-news-corp-slipping-20150206-137v7o.html

At last year's shareholder meeting, a massive 47.4 per cent of votes cast supported a proposal to eliminate the company's dual-class share structure that, had it passed, would have diluted his voting interest from almost 40 per cent to a mere 14 per cent.

The vote raised a big question about the actions of Murdoch's long-time ally who made his position at News Corp impregnable, Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal.

Why didn't Alwaleed vote his 6.6 voting stake against the resolution and ensure a much safer margin of victory?

The answer emerged on Wednesday. Alwaleed sold most of his News Corp shares in the first half of last year.

It meant that, going into the annual meeting last November, only Murdoch and News Corp insiders would have known just how vulnerable the media group was to a shareholder revolt.

Now, everybody knows. Should activist shareholders again mount an assault on News Corp, the octogenarian will have to use every trick in the book before this year's shareholder meeting to avoid a defeat that could force him to to rationalise the troubled newspaper business that drags on News Corp's performance.

The message from Alwaleed's Kingdom Holding Company on Wednesday night signalled that, while he is happy to support Murdoch at the more lucrative 21st Century Fox, Murdoch is on his own at News Corp.

"The reduction of KHC's holding in News Corp has been decided in the context of a general portfolio review. We remain firm believers in News Corp's competent management, led by CEO Robert Thomson, and are fully supportive of Rupert Murdoch and his family. Our investment in 21st Century Fox constitutes a solid foundation for our long-standing relationship that we expect will endure."

News Corp's renegade investors were already planning another campaign against Murdoch's grip, even before the news of his vulnerability emerged this week.

The News Corp shareholder that introduced the resolution to end the Murdoch family's undemocratic grip on the company  the Nathan Cummings Foundation  had already signalled it was not going to back down from its campaign.

The foundation wrote to the media group's lead independent director, Peter Barnes, in January to demand that the board address the massive investor revolt.

"We were only a few percentage points away," Laura Campos of the Nathan Cummings Foundation, said during the week. "In the wake of the stunning level of support from the public shareholders, we felt that demanded an answer."

But the real problem for Murdoch is not democracy; it is the arbitrage opportunity for every investor in News Corp who is not a member of the Murdoch family.

News Corp's results on Friday morning again highlighted how much of a drag the newspaper assets in Australia and Britain are on the gems in the business.

Most of the company's growth came from book publishing and the digital real estate business sales, the revenues of which rose $78 million, or 20 per cent, and $51 million, or 50 per cent, respectively.

These assets, and the Foxtel stake, were included as a bulwark to shield the vulnerable print assets after the 2013 split of the empire triggered by the British phone hacking scandal and the US Justice Department investigation, which was discontinued this week.

The financial case for splitting the valuable broadcast assets in the US from the newspaper business  which begat 21st Century Fox and the new News Corp  is magnified by the smaller life raft afforded by News Corp's stake in Foxtel, REA and other growth businesses.

A report last year from investment bank Credit Suisse highlighted a $1.7 billion upside if News Corp sold its Australian and British newspapers and closed down the online education business. This won't happen while Murdoch can control the company without the need to seek the support of his fellow shareholders.

Murdoch's options  like buying up voting stock to shore up the Murdoch family's position  have been limited by the defensive corporate tactics News Corp has employed to keep aggressors at bay.

The poison pill, introduced to keep corporate predators at bay, restricts Murdoch from being able to buy more of his own stock.

Television explosion: New Zealand's changing media landscape

From http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/65824866/television-explosion-new-zealands-changing-media-landscape

ON THE WAY OUT?: Founder and CEO of Netflix Reed Hastings throws down the gauntlet to traditional TV business, likening it to an ageing horse.

It could play out like an episode of House of Cards. During the next 18 months, expect to see a massive shift in New Zealand's media landscape - and not all the players are likely to survive.

With next month's arrival of American juggernaut Netflix, TV and video streaming services are shaping up as a major battleground. Broadcasters are realising people are no longer happy to passively consume television shows at the times they're told to tune in.

Until now, there have been only three video on demand services in this country competitive enough to make a blip on NZ on Air's viewer behaviour surveys. Those are TVNZ On Demand, watched by 7 per cent of Kiwis a day, 3Now or FOUR On Demand, watched by 4 per cent, and iSky, watched by 2 per cent.

As of June last year, the vast majority of New Zealanders - 88 per cent - said they did not watch an internet television service daily.

But, just as has happened in the United States and worldwide, that is changing.

Since its launch in 2002, Netflix has become the most powerful film and TV streaming brand in the world. For a monthly fee, subscribers can watch, without advertising, as many of the Netflix library of TV series, documentaries and feature films as they want on nearly any internet-connected screen.

Netflix has commissioned its own TV series, the most successful being the political drama House of Cards and crime-comedy Orange is the New Black. With the arrival of Netflix came the term binge watching, to describe the phenomenon of watching multiple episodes of shows back-to-back. It now has 57 million subscribers worldwide.

Others have seen this threat coming. Spark (nee Telecom) established Lightbox in August, which offers more than 6000 ad-free hours of TV, including hit shows such as Breaking Bad and the rights to its new prequel, Better Call Saul.

After almost a year of technological setbacks, Sky is set to start its video streaming service Neon this week. Quickflix, the Australian-run video streaming service launched last year, has fewer than 10,000 subscribers and is said to be struggling financially.

"Four services in a small country of four million? You'd have to predict they won't all be around for long," says NZ on Air chief executive Jane Wrightson. "In effect these are libraries, and how many will New Zealanders pay for? One, maybe?"

In the industry, the buzzword has shifted from primetime to me time. You will hear it more as television stations focus on digital free-to-air TV.

TVNZ are launching a revamped on demand service this week, which will allow viewers to create watchlists and "pick up and play," or stop and start episodes.

Eight Shortland Street webisodes will be available only online, and some television shows - like the upcoming iZombie - will premiere on demand. In October, the service hit a new high with 6.3 million streams that month.

TVNZ chief executive Kevin Kenrick said the broadcaster had flipped its strategy. It used to screen shows on TV first, but now realised that was pointless.

"There's a growing group of viewers who want to see it immediately. They're not prepared to wait and they say 'If you don't give it to us, we're going to go and get it from a pirate site somewhere'."

TVNZ plans to be different by offering exclusive content - and a lot of local content - before other sites.

Netflix and Lightbox might have extensive back catalogues, but Kenrick maintains once people are finished binge watching, they will want something new.

"What we're saying is that binge watching is something that will last for a period of time, but it's not a long-term thing. People then gravitate towards what's new, and we think the role we can play in the market is to be first with the most recent content."

There's no doubt Netflix will have a significant handicap content-wise, at least at first.

While the service has denied it will be a poor man's version of the US site, it will at least be watered down. This week it was revealed many of the Disney films and shows that Netflix will offer in Australia won't be available to New Zealand subscribers, as the rights had been sold elsewhere.

MediaWorks chief executive Mark Weldon said while Netflix had a great range of documentaries, studies showed short-form video was attracting

more viewers and that's where MediaWorks, which owns TV3, could excel. "When I look at our entertainment brands, I think we're better placed than anyone in the country to capture audience.

"A lot of entertainment traffic is around shareable content, and that's important to us. The demographic is younger and entertainment focused, and phones and iPads are just as important as television screens. I think it's sensible to provide content in the way people want to see it."

As well as The X Factor, Paul Henry's new breakfast radio-and-TV show would be streamed live. Short form videos that rated well online included a series Lily's In the Air, featuring Mai FM DJ Lily's dating adventures.

While Netflix may be somewhat limited in New Zealand, with the service worth about US$28 billion (NZ$35.6b) it has the buying power that will certainly rival Sky in future.

Spark have been ahead of the game, recruiting the former general manager of Australian pay TV Foxtel's digital media arm, Kym Niblock, to head Lightbox.

Niblock said the winner would have the best content, and Lightbox would fight for the rights to all the best shows. "There's a lot of relationships to be made. That's how a new and disruptive market evolves. We're very confident that our offerings are strong."

If anything, Sky Television have the most to lose. Currently, 45 per cent of New Zealand households have a subscription to the pay TV service - but if you could get access to a back catalogue of movies and shows for less than $20 a month, why bother?

Sky TV head of communications Kirsty Way said it had developed Neon to target those viewers, who it believed were a different kind of consumer. "The half of Kiwi homes that don't have Sky don't have it because it doesn't work for them, for whatever reason. Neon is much cheaper, it will have several thousand hours of content, so will be good for binge viewing and dipping in and out."

And Sky still has the lead when it comes to sporting rights, with digital and pay-per-view subscriptions now being offered - though they are not cheap, with a "season pass" to Super Rugby games $299, a monthly online pass $69 or weekly, $29.

But where does this all leave New Zealand shows?

Victoria University media studies associate professor Dr Trisha Dunleavy said there was a fear New Zealand programmes could suffer. The main broadcast channels - TV One, TV2, TV3, Prime and Maori Television - capture 71 per cent of all viewers.

"This is where I would worry the most. That's something that we need to protect . . . they make local content viable."

But some of Netflix offerings would not be as attractive as local content, particularly sport, news, and children's television.

"Some of Netflix's content is not as madly viable in New Zealand as you might think. This service is going to have to fight for its market, but I don't think we need to have immediate concerns about it affecting the range of local content we get.

"There's a deep hangover from the past that we don't like local, but we do. We love local."

NZ on Air's Wrightson said it was unlikely Netflix, Lightbox or Neon would invest in new New Zealand content, and NZ on Air would not fund pay-TV programmes. "They'll mutter that they might, but it will be interesting to see if they ever do. As far as New Zealand shows getting lost, it has always been hard for any programme to get noticed."

NZ on Air last year wrote a clause into funding that said shows had to be available online for at least a month after screening on TV. As for how much the landscape will change, Wrightson says: "It's not going to change the world tomorrow or maybe this year, but ultimately it will. It will be up to the consumer to decide how much."

Golf: Much of Ko cover to be free: Coliseum

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11398145

Internet sports provider working with free-to-air stations to show golf

Internet sports provider Coliseum has pledged to make a significant amount of Lydia Ko's booming golf career available free.

The 17-year-old's amazing rise to top the world golf rankings has been offset by many New Zealanders feeling blocked from watching her play since Coliseum won comprehensive golf rights ahead of Sky.

This broadcast drama hit boiling point behind the scenes with angry exchanges between renowned former Kiwi professional John Lister, the country's highest-profile sportscaster Murray Deaker, Coliseum and the PGA in America. It has brought sports fans, many elderly, face-to-face with technology issues, while some are also upset about extra subscription and equipment costs.

Deaker, a long-time golf devotee, claimed Coliseum treated genuine complaints in a patronising way and New Zealand was being unfairly used as experimental ground by the PGA.

Coliseum boss Tim Martin was unapologetic but told the Herald the company was "working hard" with TVNZ and Mediaworks to get some LPGA tournaments featuring Ko on free-to-air. This involved complicated scheduling issues for free-to-air stations, and Coliseum would broadcast Ko tournaments free if necessary. But Martin said Sky had become so integral to sports watching that fans almost forgot it was a subscriber service.

Martin said: "There is still resistance to internet content but it is a fact of life. Rather than fighting it and moaning they would be far better off figuring out how to do it.

"We want to get live [men's] PGA and live Lydia Ko on free-to-air TV. People will see Lydia Ko for free for the first time - I guarantee that for certain points in the season.

"Guys can bitch and moan but that represents a massive step forward. They can fire off letters with their righteous indignation but they don't see the big picture.

"People forget we got the English Premier League on free-to-air for the first time in a generation. Coliseum was set up by two guys who love New Zealand sport and support open access.

"But if you want to access internet stuff you need the right hardware and I don't apologise for that. If you wanted to watch a DVD you needed a DVD player. Sky charged people for a satellite dish."

Deaker, who quit his high-profile media career in late 2013, has taken a swing at the PGA in America. He wrote to it, describing the rights switch as "the dumbest move any sporting body has made" and was furious they forwarded his letter to Coliseum rather than address the issues directly.

Deaker's letter stated: "The long term damage to your sport in this country will be extreme. In the short term the inability of most Kiwis to follow Lydia Ko is infuriating."

Deaker told the Herald his own attempts to watch internet sport resulted in a screen covered by a "chequerboard".

"A lot of golf fans are older and simply don't know how to get it," he said. "Lydia Ko is No1 and the only people who are watching are Coliseum and their mates. They make out it is simple to do but it isn't."

Coliseum's full golf package costs $200 a year.

Lister said: "My options are to run a cable down from my office, down the hall, through the kitchen and into the lounge to my TV. This I am not prepared to do.

"The other option is to spend $520 [on a tablet and streaming box] on top of my subscription. I have expressed my dismay to the PGA about the direction they have taken."

Martin told Lister to use WiFi or move a laptop close to his TV.

"That is a guy not trying very hard," Martin said.

Martin said subscription costs were a legitimate concern as the old order broke up, but would reduce. Coliseum's service worked for 80 per cent of the country and high-speed fibre was not necessary.

"And the Government is putting in massive infrastructure," Martin said.

"There are load issues but golf is protected because it streams down at non-peak times. We are careful about the sports we select because of that. We have thousands and thousands signed up who really enjoy the golf service."

VTC, VOV to begin merger in February

From http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/society/123165/vtc--vov-to-begin-merger-in-february.html

The process of merging VTC and the Voice of Viet Nam (VOV) will start this month, according to an official of the information and communication ministry (MIC).

Minister of Information and Communication Nguyen Bac Son said at the MIC's meeting of state management offices this week that the Prime Minister has approved VOV's proposals for merger with VTC.

The merger is compatible with the plan on development and management of national journalism by 2025, Son said. Under the plan, each ministry or each sector will have only one media unit, reported ITCnews.

The Prime Minister asked VOV and the MIC to jointly formulate a plan on the VTC-VOV merger, and then collect opinions on the plan from ministries and sectors. The plan was submitted to the Prime Minister, Son said.

Now that the minister had received the green light from the Prime Minister for the merger, the implementation of the plan would begin this month, Son added.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Truong Minh Tuan said that the merger process would take a long time because VOV had not made specific merger plans, including issues of assets and debts.

The merger could not be completed in the next few years, Tuan added.

Son said that the Viet Nam Multimedia Corp established VTC more than 10 years ago as a television broadcaster that uses digital technology in Viet Nam.

Under the amended laws on enterprise and journalism, VTC has been managed by the MIC since January 1, 2014, but not the Viet Nam Multimedia Corp.

In 2014, VTC gained revenue of more than $149.5 million, 70 per cent of which came from digital services.

VTC is not a national television channel, but has nationwide coverage with propaganda tasks in the fields of economy, politics and society. This is the first digital television station in Viet Nam. Therefore, the performance of the digital terrestrial television of VTC since 2004 has been the basis for the government to approve a plan for digitising television nationwide.

VTC has 15 channels with several kinds of technical infrastructure, such as digital terrestrial television, cab television, satellite television and Internet protocol television (IPTV), as well as Internet television.

Meanwhile, VOV has been commissioned to manage and produce products for the National Assembly television channel.

The merger of VTC and VOV is a step towards preparing for a VOV pilot operating as a multimedia group in the future that will include print media, television, voice and electronic newspapers. VOV is one of few journalism and communication groups having enough infrastructure for the four kinds of journalism in the future

SkyPerfectTV tops 3.4m subs

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/06/skyperfecttv-tops-3-4m-subs/

Japanese pay-TV operator SkyPerfectTV added 30,692 net new subscribers in January to take its total subscriber base to 3,405,964 at the end of January 2015.

The net gain saw 3,068 new subs take the top tier while 27,133 take the basic offering.

All of SkyPerfectTV’s premium HDTV transmissions take place in MPEG4/H.264 (numbering 1.8 million).

SkyPerfecTV has stated that it will start 4K broadcasts next month.

Cricket World Cup broadcast to reach 2.5 bn viewers globally

From http://www.televisionpost.com/television/cricket-world-cup-broadcast-to-reach-2-5-bn-viewers-globally/

Besides Star network, the event will be aired on pubcaster Doordarshan.

In Pakistan, the event will be aired on PTV Sports and Ten Sports. In Bangladesh, the tournament will be aired on non-exclusive basis on three channels Bangladesh TV, Maasranga TV and Gazi TV.

In Sri Lanka, the tournament will be telecast only on public broadcaster SLRC. Incidentally, Carlton Sports, a private sports broadcaster with links to ousted Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa, will not be telecasting a major cricketing event for the first time in recent years.

Sky Sports, a sister concern of Star India, will telecast the tournament in England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. ITV Network will telecast the highlights in the UK on free-to-air (FTA) basis.

Fox Sports and Sky TV will air the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Channel 9 will telecast the tournament on FTA basis in Australia. OSN Sport Cricket and SuperSport will air the tournament in the Middle East & North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa respectively. In South Africa, SABC 3 will air the tournament on FTA basis.

ESPN will lead the ICC World Cup telecast in the Caribbean, North and South America. In Canada, Sportsnet will air the tournament.

Star Cricket (Star Hub and Singtel) will broadcast the tournament in Singapore. The event will be available on Now TV (PCCW) in Hong Kong. Fiji TV and Fiji Broadcasting Corporation will do the live telecast and highlights of the tournament respectively.

To complement the television coverage, live online and mobile streaming will be visible on digital channels of most official broadcasters, while starsports.com will also stream the matches live in territories where television broadcast is unavailable.

There will be extensive radio coverage of the ICC CWC 2015. In Australia, national broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation will be broadcasting all matches live while CrocMedia will provide live coverage of all Australia matches, the semifinals and the final.

In the other host country New Zealand, Sport Radio will provide radio coverage. Outside the host countries, the event will have ball-by-ball commentary from the BBC (UK), All India Radio (India), SLCB (Sri Lanka), SABC (South Africa), 107 FM (Pakistan) and Channel 2 (Middle East and the USA).

Production will see array of on-air enhancements

On the production front, the World Cup broadcast will see an array of on-air enhancements and new graphic presentation to accompany the insightful voices of its expert commentators.

The production will be in high definition (HD) and every match will be covered by at least 29 cameras, including Ultra motion cameras, Spider cam at 13 matches and the drone camera at all the knock-out matches. Technology in use includes Real-Time Snicko and LED stumps. Other innovative features will be introduced in the latter stages of the event.

For the first time ever, cricket will be covered using cutting-edge 4K technology. To bring its viewers closer to the game, Star Sports will produce live coverage of seven matches in 4K, including the semifinals and the final.

ICC chief executive David Richardson said: “We expect the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to be the most viewed cricket event in the history of the game. With a great line-up of commentators and innovative features, it promises to be an event to remember and the biggest and greatest sporting event anywhere in the world this year.

“And for those people around the world who can’t be there in person, Star Sports and its broadcast licensees’ coverage will ensure that 2.5 billion people can view every single game from across all 14 venues in Australia and New Zealand.”

Star India CEO Uday Shankar speaks

Star India CEO Uday Shankar said: “Cricket’s most prestigious event is upon us. As big as the event is, nothing is greater than brilliant sportsmanship that will eventually define Cricket’s World Cup. That defining moment may be in India successfully defending its World Champion title or a new nation rising to glory. Whatever the outcome in cricket’s greatest face-off in Australia and New Zealand, this edition of the Cup promises to be bigger and better.

“While now synonymous with broadcast innovations and firsts, Star won’t rest on its laurels and would ensure that fans feel closer to the game and their heroes, like never before. The scale of the broadcast will be unprecedented. Four production teams with seven state-of-the-art technology kits will cover action from each of the 49 games across the 14 stadia in Australia and New Zealand in 44 days, to create an exciting visual spectacle for cricket fans all around the world.

“The top-quality action will be broadcast in multi-lingual feeds in India, in seven languages, brought together by Star’s expansive world feed, Hindi and regional commentary panel consisting of 13 former skippers, 20 World Cup winners and 26 World Cup semi-finalists. We will be working closely with 45 of our channel partners across the globe, making this one of the most widely covered ICC Cricket World Cup.”

In addition to live coverage of the 49 tournament matches, Star Sports will produce live broadcast coverage for the warm-up matches from Adelaide and Sydney.

From http://www.smh.com.au/business/saudi-prince-prince-al-waleed-bin-talal-slashes-news-corp-stake-but-says-he-still-backs-rupert-murdoch-20150205-1370qr.html

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Abdulaziz Al Saud says he is still a supporter of News Corp and the Murdoch family. Photo: Bloomberg

Rupert Murdoch's biggest shareholder ally Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal insisted he remains a "fully supportive" of the mogul and a "believer" in the management of News Corporation even as his investment firm slashed its stake in the company.

The billionaire prince's Kingdom Holdings sold a 5.6 per cent stake for almost $US190 million ($245 million), cutting its holding in the company, which owns The Wall Street Journal, The Australian newspaper and half of Foxtel, to about 1 per cent.

The move made headlines just as the other half of the Murdoch empire, Twenty-First Century Fox, beat analysts' forecasts for the second quarter but warned that the strong US dollar and weakness in broadcast advertising would swipe about $US1.5 billion off full-year profits.

Al Waleed owned the second-largest slug of voting class B shares in News Corp after the Murdoch family. He has held a stake since 1997 and remained fiercely loyal to Mr Murdoch during the phone hacking scandal at now defunct British tabloid The News of The World, which precipitated its split from 21st Century Fox in 2013.

In a statement on Kingdom's website, Al Waleed said: "The reduction of KHC's holding in News Corp has been decided in the context of a general portfolio review.

"We remain firm believers in News Corp's competent management, led by CEO Robert Thomson, and are fully supportive of Rupert Murdoch and his family."

The prince's profit or loss booked on the investment was not revealed.

Kingdom, which holds stakes in companies including Citigroup and Twitter, owns half of the Savoy hotel in London and is backing a project to build the world's tallest tower in Jeddah, is planning to sell shares in a "significant" number of assets, according to its chief financial officer Mohammed Fahmy in an interview last week.

Mr Murdoch received better news earlier this week when the US Justice Department dropped its case against News Corp and Twenty-First Century Fox over the phone hacking scandal after it finished its investigation into the phone hacking and alleged bribery of British officials.

News Corp's US-listed shares have fallen from $US18.40 in April to $US15.59 at their Wednesday close on Wall Street and analysts are forecasting a drop in revenue and earnings in its second-quarter earnings when it reports on Friday as weakness in newsprint and its cable business wipe out potential gains from its real estate and book publishing businesses.

In its statement, Kingdom insisted that its 6.6 per cent holding in Mr Murdoch's cable television and entertainment business, Twenty-First Century Fox, which is worth about $US1.7 billion, would be unaffected.

"Our investment in Twenty-First Century Fox, constitutes a solid foundation for our long standing relationship that we expect will endure," said the prince in a statement.

He added: "Twenty-First Century Fox owns a 19 per cent stake in Rotana Group that I own independently from Kingdom Holding."

Twenty-First Century Fox has performed better than News in the past year, with its shares trading 11 per cent higher.

However, the shares fell as much 6 per cent on Wednesday in the US after it sliced its profit targets due the strong US dollar cutting overseas profits repatriated to the US and lower audience ratings at the Fox Broadcast network.

Although the company posted second-quarter results which beat analysts' estimates, Fox president Chase Carey said an appreciating US currency and broadcast advertising shortfalls had become "too large to offset".

He said he now expected 2016 profits to be in the mid $US7 billion range, down from the company's initial estimate of $US9 billion.

"The majority of our businesses are strong and on track but foreign currency moves this year will adversely impact 2016's profits by about $200 million, which is on top of the approximately $250 million hit to expected 2016 profits from currency shifts last year  a total hit of about $450 million to our original 2016 project in August 2013," Mr Carey said.

The profits were squeezed further by Fox selling its interests in Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia as well as merging its production company Shine with Endemol, which was expected to wipe $US1 billion off the 2016 profit target.

"Clearly our broadcast business is not where we expected to be at this time and external market forces like currency have been more unfavourable than expected but we still expect solid double-digit growth overall next year due to the strength of most of our businesses," Mr Carey said.

"The challenges with currency and broadcasting now lead us to an expected 2016 profit in the mid $7 billion range. While we are disappointed to fall short of our targets this year and next, we take these targets seriously, our overall goal is not to hit a short-term profit target but to build shareholder value."

Mr Carey said this if the company proceeded with meeting it its 2016 profit forecast, it would have eroded future gains.

"If our goal was to hit a short-term profit target, we pursue efforts like cutting marketing and programming costs and the expense of future profits. We will not do that because we believe shareholder value is built over long-term growth," he said.

Fox's audience challenges have been added by the shift of eyeballs to new on-demand digital platforms, which has put pressure on revenues from linear television. "The digital transition continues to be a glass-half-full story for us," Mr Carey said, adding that shift of viewing to new platforms had been "a bit faster than many have expected," which has put "short-term pressure on our business".

"The market was spooked by the guidance revision and there are a lot of headwinds," said Tuna Amobi, an analyst at S&P Capital IQ who recommends the stock. "We underestimated the impact of the foreign exchange headwinds. The advertising slowdown was much deeper than expected."

The forecast put a negative spin on fiscal second-quarter results that beat analysts' estimates on the strength of rising pay TV fees, higher ad sales and the Oscar-nominated film hit Gone Girl.

Earnings rose to US53¢ a share, excluding items, topping the US42¢ average of analysts' estimates. The company also raised its dividend to US15¢ from US12.5¢ previously.

Citi's Justin Diddams forecasts that the company's News and Information Services division will report a 7 per cent slide in revenues to $1.5 billion.

"With the business still in transition mode, profits are again likely to be impacted by restructuring costs," Mr Diddams wrote in a note. "We forecast modest earnings growth in full year 2015, supported by investments in the digital space, as focus remains on execution. We retain our 'buy' rating."

Analysts will focus on pace of revenue declines across News Corp's US and Australian newspaper divisions and will seek an update on Foxtel's growth after it dropped the price of its basic package from $49 to $25.

Group CEO for Fijian Holdings Limited, Fiji TV’s majority shareholder, Nouzab Fareed says the sale is because of the growing competition in Papua New Guinea with two new television services launched last year.

Sold for 25.8 million Fijian dollars equivalent to 27 million Kina, Fiji TV’s cash cow is now PNGs

‘’Success of media niguni is local production so I’m sure Fiji TV should focus on that as well, there’s a big demand for local production and it is in terms of net income, that is the best things to do, so definitely we’ll be doing alot of the local stuff so I’m sure when the timing is right, we’ll do some plans for Fiji TV’’.

For Media Niugini’s new owners, Telikom PNG the acquisition plays nicely into their expansion plans.

CEO Michael Donnelly says the buyout is a plus for Papua New Guinea.

‘’The business is been well run, well invested, grown very significantly over the last 5 years, but the media landscape in PNG is changing and changing dramatically with the introduction of competition, digital competition so for us, from the telecommunication industry, the acquisition of this business helps us develop our convergence strategy so we’re happy to have acquired this business, good for business, good for PNG’’.

Fiji TV bought Media Niugini in 2008, the investment than was seen as a bold step into a developing market. According to Fareed, the company will now look towards branching into the Solomon Islands and Samoa.

Russia reacts to satellite failure

From http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2015/02/04/russia-reacts-to-satellite-failure/

Russia has moved quickly to minimise the effects of an accident on the Express-AM33 satellite, which happened at 22.35 Moscow time on February 3.

In a statement, the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications (Minsvyaz) says that the system of extra switching, developed by the FSUE Russian television and broadcasting network, started to operate within a few minutes of the accident.

As a result, TV channels were switched to the Yamal-401 satellite.

They include the First Channel, Russia’s most popular broadcaster, which covered 90% of viewers. It is now planned to cover 90% of the viewers affected  a total of 13.5 million  in one day.

Minsvyaz adds that Nikolay Nikiforov, the minister of telecom and mass communications, was immediately informed about the accident.

The ministry created an emergency operations centre, consisting of working groups of the FSUE Satellite communications, Russian television and broadcasting network and television channels, broadcast via this satellite.

Express-AM33 has been operational since April 14, 2008 and has a life of 10 years.

Sea Launch considers replacement of Zenit-3SL rockets

From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Sea_Launch_Considers_Replacement_of_Ukrainian_Made_Zenit_3SL_Space_Rocket_999.html

A decision on the replacement of Ukrainian-made carrier rockets for space launches from a floating platform in the equatorial Pacific Ocean could be made by April, the Sea Launch SA company said Wednesday.

The Sea Launch consortium has used Zenit-3SL carrier rockets, manufactured by Dnipropetrovsk-based Yuzhmash company, to put commercial payloads into orbit. However, Yuzhmash production capacity has been seriously affected by the current political and economic crisis in Ukraine.

"The [Zenit-3SL] replacement is being discussed, but no decisions have been made by the Board of Directors so far," Sea Launch Chief Executive Sergei Gugkaev said in an exclusive interview with RIA Novosti.

"We are hoping to come up with a decision in a month or two," Gugkaev said, adding that several replacement options are being considered, including Russian-made space rockets.

Sony debuts integrated YouView TVs

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/04/sony-debuts-integrated-youview-tvs/

Sony aims to make it easier than ever for UK viewers to catch up on favourite TV shows with the inclusion of on-demand platform YouView to its range of 2015 BRAVIA TVs. In partnership with YouView it will be the first manufacturer in the UK and Ireland to include the service.

From Summer 2015, UK consumers will have the ability to watch their favourite TV shows from BBC iPlayer, 4oD, ITV Player and Demand 5 as well as live TV using the intuitive YouView interface with no need for a separate set-top box.

Sony customers will now have access to YouView’s library of more than 12,000 titles of on demand TV programmes. Discover will list TV programmes so you can see at a glance what has recently been added and which programmes are the most popular or simply browse by genre. Search seamlessly integrates live and on demand TV giving customers the option to type in a programme name to instantly find favourite TV shows.

John Anderson, Sony UK and Ireland country head, said: “The way we watch TV is changing, with more demand than ever for a large range of content, when we want it, how we want it. We’re delighted to be the first manufacturer in the UK to announce the addition of YouView to our range of TVs. We believe that our new BRAVIA range now has an unparalleled combination of Sony’s fantastic picture quality, fantastic design and the widest choice of content ever complete with Sony High Resolution Audio.”

Richard Halton, CEO, YouView, said, “We are thrilled to announce a major collaboration with Sony on our first ever project to make YouView available on TVs. This exciting YouView and Sony partnership will create a deep integration of YouView’s functionality within the new Sony TV range, built on the Android platform. It will offer everything you’d expect from YouView including our iconic seamless and easy to use TV guide, giving customers simple access to the live and catch up TV they love.”

In a separate Blog Post, Halton described the collaboration as “an important partnership” that would let more UK homes than ever before enjoy YouView’s seamless TV service across a “fantastic” new range of connected televisions.

Halton said that since it launched in 2012, YouView’s objective had been simple  to evolve and grow its on-demand TV service, bringing its “unique” combination of live, catch up and on-demand TV to as many UK homes as possible. “We want to offer flexibility to consumers, giving them more ways to access YouView  which now includes finding the TV programmes they love without the need for a set-top box,” he noted.

“So, what does this mean for YouView? From a customer experience perspective, it’s all good  the same easy to use experience, access to over 12,000 titles, all available on a set of stunning new screens boasting the very best picture quality, including 4K,” he advised.

“From a tech perspective, the prospect of an HTML execution of our service on an Android middleware is a significant step and not one many might have envisaged us taking even a year or so ago. It’s not been an easy challenge, but it builds on the experience we had bringing BBC iPlayer to YouView in HTML5 last year and points the way for the platform in the future,” he suggested.

“It’s also to Sony’s great credit that they’ve embraced the concept of YouView as a complete experience  both for connected (and, critically) unconnected sets. YouView is not about to become a TV app, or a logo in the corner of a partners’ screen  we think our user experience means more than that and I’m sure Sony’s customers will agree,” he said.

“Does this mean that the set-top box is becoming less important? Not at all. Like all the foundations of the vibrant UK TV industry  linear channels, DTT, (the BBC!)  the set-top box has plenty of life left in it yet. However, it’s testimony to the quality of the YouView experience that it’s now travelling across a whole range of devices including mobile, set-top box and now direct to TV. There will be plenty more on that and other topics as we continue to evolve, develop and grow the platform,” he promised.

“We look forward to showcasing the new TVs this summer and, for now, I’d just like to thank all the teams within YouView, Sony and our partners for getting us to the first stage of our connected TV journey,” he concluded.

Videocon d2h offers full 4K line-up

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/04/videocon-d2h-offers-full-4k-line-up/

India’s Videocon d2h pay-TV operation has issued a line-up of 4K programming for its imminent launch. A lot of Indian viewers will want to tap into next week’s coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup, with many of the key matches being captured in 4K and carried in partnership with Star India which is the official ICC broadcaster.

But there’s much more. “Videocon d2h is bringing modern technology into Indian homes through this experience of 4K Ultra HD using its 4K Ultra HD set-top-box and 4K Ultra HD Multi Genre Channel. We are the first in the country to provide this experience,” said Saurabh Dhoot, Director of Videocon Group. He added that movies, VoD, travel and infotainment will be on offer.

“Now, consumers can optimally utilise their existing 4K LED TV and get the full value out of it. We continue to be committed to providing the best service to our customers. This overall 4K Ultra HD experience on Videocon d2h will greatly enhance the brand image of Videocon,” said Anil Khera, CEO of Videocon d2h.

4/02/15

Intelsat 19 12646 H is still FTA

Intelsat 19 KU band TVplus was FTA for a while last night
I managed to screencap ETV (Epsilon tv) on Vpid 584 Apid 712, which was unlisted on Lyngsat,

Presto customers to enjoy no data download limits on Foxtel Broadband the company announced today.

The release:

Presto today confirmed that Foxtel Broadband subscribers will enjoy no data download limits when accessing Presto’s unbelievable TV and movie entertainment. The news comes on the heels of this week’s announcement by Foxtel that it has now launched Broadband and Home Phone bundles.

Presto customers who take one of the new Foxtel Broadband bundles will now see even greater value from their combined subscriptions and can binge on their favourite movie and TV shows unrestricted by data download limits.

Shaun James, Director of Presto and On Demand, said, “Presto subscribers are passionate about entertainment and enjoy bingeing on their favourite shows. The massive volume of hours viewed each week is testament to Presto’s popularity and today we’re thrilled to confirm that Foxtel Broadband subscribers can now indulge all they want on the programs they love free from data limits.”

Presto recently launched Presto TV bringing an unbelievable selection of 1000s of hours ad-free television shows to Australian TV lovers for $9.99 per month*.

Presto TV’s launch follows last year’s successful launch of Presto Movies, which features blockbusters and all-time favourite films from a constantly updated collection of great movies.

For $9.99 per month Australians can subscribe to either Presto TV or Presto Movies or bundle both services for $14.99 per month with no ongoing commitment, and now it offers no data download limits for Foxtel Broadband subscribers.

Presto TV brings together a vast collection of TV shows from quality production houses including HBO, SHOWTIME®, CBS Studios International, Viacom International Media Networks and Hasbro Studios as well as a range of some of the best local content from Foxtel, the Seven Network and ABC Commercial.

Presto TV features “complete seasons” of programs which are available to stream and watch instantly on demand. There will be something for all ages with programming covering key genres including drama, comedy, reality and kids and family.

Presto TV is the only Australian standalone SVOD service to offer acclaimed HBO programming including full seasons of The Sopranos, The Wire, Sex and the City, Entourage, True Blood, Girls and Boardwalk Empire as well as Deadwood, distributed by CBS Studios International.

Subscribers can also watch full seasons of SHOWTIME original series from CBS Studios International including Dexter®, The Borgias, Californication, Nurse Jackie and Ray Donovanwith new seasons coming first to Presto TV for the standalone SVOD window.

Presto TV, Presto Movies and the Presto Entertainment bundle are currently available across PC, MAC, iPads, select Android devices and via Google Chromecast. Subscribers can register up to four compatible devices and watch two devices simultaneously.

To subscribe or discover more about Presto TV, Presto Movies or the Presto bundle visit http://www.presto.com.au/.

Presto TV will be a 50-50 joint venture between Foxtel and Seven West Media, subject to ACCC approval.

Russia to launch 3 new ‘Express’ satellites

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/03/russia-to-launch-3-new-express-satellites/

Russia will orbit three new Express-class communication satellites this year. State-owned Russian Satellite Communications Co (RSCC) deputy CEO Yevgeniy Buydinov told news agency TASS that the first, Express-AM7 (to 40 degrees East) would launch in mid-March. The second, Express-AM8 (14 degrees West) a couple of weeks later, and the third Express-AMU1 (to 36 degrees East) would launch before the end of the year.

RSCC currently has 11 satellites in its fleet. The ‘Express’ fleet serves DTH, communications and internet connectivity over Russia and 35 other countries further afield from 14 deg West to 140 deg East. Major clients include Tricolor TV and NTV-Plus.

RSCC is on an ambitious programme to become one of the industry’s Top 5 players in satellite communications by 2020.

From http://www.realwire.com/releases/SpeedCast-Delivers-50-Gearbulk-Vessels-Cutting-Edge-Satellite-Communications

Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 3rd February 2015 - SpeedCast International Limited (SpeedCast), a leading global telecommunications service provider, today announced that it has been awarded a multi-year communications contract from Gearbulk, a specialist in high quality shipping services. The new Ku-band satellite service will provide unrivaled, high-performance broadband connectivity for mission-critical and social communications on 50 cargo vessels across the world, taking the fleet's communication capabilities into a new era of connectivity.

Gearbulk operates one of the world's largest fleets of open-hatch gantry craned vessels and open-hatch jib craned vessels, transporting unitized cargoes such as forest products, non-ferrous metals and steel. Following a detailed and thorough tender process, which included all of the key global maritime satellite service providers, SpeedCast was selected by Gearbulk for its ability to deliver a cutting-edge, globally accessible communications solution with a proven reliability and operational deployment record.

The SpeedCast satellite services will be used aboard 50 cargo vessels and several tankers to support Gearbulk's transition into the global broadband VSAT communications era. The vessels will benefit from enhanced operational and crew welfare communications, all delivered in a financially controllable package by SpeedCast. With over 40 satellites within its network providing reliable and secure Ku-, C- and Ka-band capacity, SpeedCast's network delivers unparalleled global connectivity options.

"We required a comprehensive communications solution on board our vessels to support our mission of delivering flawless, efficient and customer-focused operations," said Dan Rooney, Fleet Support Systems Manager at Gearbulk. "SpeedCast has the demonstrated expertise, and the global infrastructure and support to deliver a solution that will meet our needs today, and for many years to come."

"With thousands of port calls to over 70 countries, Gearbulk's business is complex, so an effective and reliable communications system will strengthen the operational efficiency of its vessels. Designing, installing, operating and maintaining a highly reliable and tailor-made communications solution is at the heart of our capabilities," said Pierre-Jean Beylier, CEO of SpeedCast. "Looking ahead, sustainability is a key priority for Gearbulk and with our satellite communications we can help the company concentrate on shipping for the future."

This announcement follows a number of recent customer wins for SpeedCast in the maritime sector, as SpeedCast further strengthens its growth momentum in this important industry segment.

ENDS

About SpeedCast International Limited
SpeedCast is a leading global network and satellite communications service provider offering high-quality managed networks services in over 60 countries; and a global maritime network serving customers worldwide. Headquartered in Hong Kong, with 14 international sales & support offices and 24 teleport operations, SpeedCast has a unique infrastructure to serve the requirements of customers globally. With over 4,000 links on land and at sea supporting mission critical applications, SpeedCast has distinguished itself with a strong operational expertise and a highly efficient support organization, which are the foundation of SpeedCast's success. SpeedCast is publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange under the ticker SDA (ASX:SDA). For more information, visit http://www.speedcast.com/.

From http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/abu-dhabi-crackdown-on-satellite-dishes-2015-02-03-1.579329

Notice asks for removal of dishes on building tops

Municipality notice asks that dishes be away from walls of terraces to avoid spoiling the look of the city. (Shutterstock)

Abu Dhabi Municipality has issued a public interest notice asking landlords to disallow installing more than four satellite dishes on building tops, ensuring they are away from the walls of the terraces to avoid spoiling the look of the city.

The notice uses the words “blemish” and “general appearance”.

It also urges landlords to ensure compliance with technical stipulations governing installation of satellite dishes on terraces and in gardens.

The notice clearly asks landlords, tenants property management companies and “the whole populace of Abu Dhabi city and suburban areas” to cooperate as regards eliminating three main issues:

- Placing satellite dishes at balconies and windows

- Placing satellite dishes on walls of building tops and domestic gardens

- Leaving connection cables hanging on the building

There was no mention of any fines or legal action for those not cooperating, though an enquiry number 800555 is the one to call for further information.

MENA pay-TV subs on rise, despite piracy

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/03/mena-pay-tv-subs-on-rise-despite-piracy/

The number of pay-TV homes in the Middle East and North Africa will double between 2010 and 2020 to 21.3 million, according to a new 208-page report from Digital TV Research. Turkey will account for 37 per cent of the 2020 total.

According to the fourth edition of Digital TV Middle East & North Africa Forecasts, 18 per cent of TV households legitimately paid for TV signals by end-2014. This proportion will climb to 24 per cent by 2020. Qatar will record 72 per cent pay-TV penetration by 2020, with Israel (71 per cent) also high. However, pay-TV penetration will be below 10 per cent of TV households in Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia.

Legitimate pay-TV revenues for the 20 countries covered in the report will grow by 75 per cent between 2010 and 2020 to $5.63 billion. Turkey and Israel are expected to contribute 51 per cent of the region’s pay-TV revenues in 2020; down from 61 per cent in 2014.

Satellite TV will continue to dominate pay-TV revenues, taking two-thirds of the 2020 total (similar to the 2014 proportion). Satellite TV revenues will be $3.76 billion in 2020. Turkey will account for $1.572 billion of these revenues, followed by Saudi Arabia with $674 million. Saudi Arabia will take second place from Israel in 2015.

Pay satellite TV penetration will climb from 6.9 per cent in 2010 to 11.8 per cent in 2020, with subscriber numbers doubling from 5.01 million to 10.32 million. Of the 10.32 million total in 2020, Turkey will contribute 5.32 million and Saudi Arabia 1.24 million. Penetration in 2020 will reach 37 per cent in Qatar, but will be less than 5 per cent in 10 other countries.

According to Simon Murray, Principal Analyst at Digital TV Research, pay satellite TV has grown mainly as a result of the expansion of OSN and beIN Sports. We estimate that OSN had 1,162,000 residential satellite subscribers [excluding non-residential satellite subscribers and subscribers to non-satellite platforms] at end-2014, with beIN Sports providing a further 819,000.”

“Piracy remains a major problem, despite many efforts to eradicate it,” he cautioned. “There are 34.3 million free-to-air satellite TV homes in the Middle East and North Africa sub-regions [excluding Israel, Turkey and Eurasia]. We estimate that at least 10 per cent of these homes also receive pirated premium satellite TV signals. This represents considerable revenue loss to the legitimate players.”

There will be 6.16 million legitimate IPTV subs across the whole region by 2020; triple the 2014 total. Turkey (1,631,000 subscribers  five times as many as 2014) will be the IPTV subscriber leader in 2020. However, Qatar (35 per cent) will lead in penetration terms by 2020. IPTV revenues will grow tenfold between 2010 and 2020  to $1.071 billion.

US satellite operators to get boost from Obama

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/03/us-satellite-operators-to-get-boost-from-obama/

The past few years have not been kind to the world’s ‘Big 3’ satellite operators (Intelsat, SES and Eutelsat) because of severe cutbacks by the US government on satellite spending. The US has trimmed its spend (sequestration), in particular on the amount being spent on commercial satellites.

However, President Barrack Obama, in his new budget proposition issued February 2nd, is proposing a 2.8 per cent increase in the budget for the NASA space agency, and a 6 per cent real increase in Dept. of Defense appropriations.

A note from investment banker Exane BNP-Paribas says that while full budget appropriation are likely to be different from those numbers (due to the legislative process and budget caps), “at this stage budget numbers are supportive of our view that Eutelsat and SES operating performance with the US government should improve in FY15/16.”

The bank’s report continues: “Around 5 to 10 per cent of satellite operators revenues are derived from US government spending. Intelsat and SES reported double digit rate of decline in their last quarters. Eutelsat returned to +3 per cent growth in its last reporter quarter.”

BBC loses British Open rights to rival Sky Sports

From http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11396187

LONDON (AP) " The BBC is losing one of its most prized sports events, golf's British Open, to rival Sky.

Sky Sports secured exclusive rights to televise the Open in a five-year deal from 2017-2021, the Royal and Ancient said on Tuesday.

The oldest of golf's four majors will leave public broadcaster BBC after more than 60 years to join with the subscription channel controlled by Rupert Murdoch.

While terms were not announced, British media put the deal's worth at 15 million pounds ($22.5 million) a year, or 75 million pounds overall. That would be more than double the reported 7-million-pound annual contract with the BBC.

Sky's coverage will begin with the 146th Open at Royal Birkdale from July 16-23, 2017.

The BBC will show a two-hour highlights package in prime time.

Sky already has rights to golf's three other majors: The Masters, U.S. Open and U.S. PGA Championship.

The R&A said the new deal will allow the governing body "to provide significantly increased financial support to golf participation initiatives in the U.Kand Ireland."

"We believe this is the best result for the Open and for golf," R&A chief executive Peter Dawson said. "Sky Sports has an excellent track record in covering golf across its platforms, and has become the home of live golf coverage over recent years."

The R&A said the number of commercial breaks on Sky for the British Open will be limited to four minutes per hour, with each ad running for 60 seconds.

The British Open was not among the so-called "crown jewels" of sports events that must be shown on free TV in the U.K. The list of protected events includes the Olympics, the World Cup, the FA Cup final, and the Wimbledon finals.

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/02/oz-home-entertainment-digital-grows-physical-shrinks/

As the Australian home entertainment market awaits the March 2015 arrival of online entertainment streaming service Netflix to compete with existing players such as Stan, Quickflix and Presto, figures from the Australian Home Entertainment Distributors Association (AHEDA) suggest the sector was worth A$1.115 billion in 2014, down from A$1.202 billion the previous year.

Physical revenues were down by 10 per cent to A$951.3 million from A$1.059 billion while online sales and rentals increased by an estimated 11 per cent to a record A$163.5 million.

DVD and Blu-ray revenues both fell by 10 per cent and Blu-ray penetration remains static at 16 per cent. Electronic Sell Through (EST) movies showed the strongest growth, increasing 26 per cent in the year to October.

According to AHEDA CEO Simon Bush, as the market matures it is seeing the declines in physical disc sales tapering, with the consumer proving yet again that new and exciting TV and movie content continues to perform well, showing why Australian retailers continue to support the category.

“2015 is shaping up to be an exciting year in the continued evolution of the home entertainment marketplace, with SVoD service Stan launching last month to join Foxtel’s Presto and Quickflix, with Netflix starting in March,” he advised.

“AHEDA strongly supports efforts by the Federal Government to combat the high levels of film piracy we see in this country and welcomes efforts to establish a notice scheme as well as injunctive relief mechanisms to block web sites whose primary purpose is to promote piracy,” he declared.

Sky retains exclusive hold on all Rugby World Cup games

From http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/sky-sports-retains-their-exclusive-hold-all-rugby-world-cup-games-jw-168153

Sky TV [NZX: SKT] has announced its extended partnership with Rugby World Cup Ltd, securing the rights to broadcast the competition this year.

Sky will broadcast live coverage of all World Cup games in England this September.

It’s not all bad news for free-to-air audiences however, with Prime viewers able to watch every All Blacks match and highlights from each day of the tournament.

In 2010, a free-to-air consortium  made up of TVNZ, Maori TV and TV3/Four (formally C4)  won the rights to screen 16 key 2011 Rugby World Cup games live, including the final.

The deal was thanks to a $3.2 million cash injection from the government, which had to referee a messy spat between the three broadcasters  two of whom are state-owned.

The 2011 Rugby World Cup final was the most watched event in New Zealand TV history, attracting a never-before-seen audience share of 98%.

He says it’s another sign that online is fast becoming the future of broadcast content.

“Unbundling its channels so that the consumer now has the ability to pick and choose what they want to watch, when they want to watch it and in HD too is exactly the sort of innovation that a good Internet provides to our TV viewing habits.”

He says the next step is for Sky to extend this model to other high demand content.

Satellite TV takes last capacity on Express-AT satellites

From http://www.telecompaper.com/news/satellite-tv-takes-last-capacity-on-express-at-satellites--1062576

Russian company Satellite TV (STV) has leased from the satellite operator RSCC the last free Ku transponders on the Express-AT1 and Express-AT2 satellites, reports Comnews.ru. Russian satellite operators Tricolor TV and NTV-Plus also use resources on the Express-AT1 satelite, and Eutelsat leases capacity on both the Express-AT1 and Express-AT2 satellites.
The satellites were launched on 16 March 2014.

Saudi Arabia's 'Politically Independent' News Channel Stops Broadcast Less than a Day after Launch

From http://www.ibtimes.co.in/saudi-arabias-politically-independent-news-channel-stops-broadcast-less-day-after-launch-622289

Saudi Arabia's Alarabtv shut down in less than 24 hours after launching.Facebook/ Alarabtv Newmedia

Saudi Arabia's Alarabtv shut down in less than 24 hours after launching.Facebook/ Alarabtv Newmedia

One of the first guests that the channel interviewed was a prominent opposition leader in Bahrain, which drew heavy criticism from the pro-government media. In the interview that sparked outrage among government loyalists, Khalil Marzook, a prominent critic of Bahrain's ruling Sunni royal family, discussed the government's decision to strip 72 people of their citizenship.

Soon after, the channel reverted to showing promotional videos, claiming that they had to stop functioning due to "technical and administrative reasons".

Bahrain's information ministry also reiterated that the "programming at Alarab satellite channel has been temporarily suspended for administrative and technical purposes," reports BBC. The management team at Alarab and the Information Affairs Authority are working together to swiftly resolve the issues and resume broadcasting shortly, they said.

Bahrain daily, Akhbar al-Khaleej, however, has claimed that the suspension was due to the channel "not adhering to the norms prevalent in Gulf countries".

The channel had planned to work out of Bahrain as Saudi Arabia forbade the functioning of "independent" channels. However, the decision to move the head office to Bahrain does not seem to have worked much in the favour of Alarab TV.

Iran Launches Satellite Into Space, First Since 2012

From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Iran_Launches_Satellite_Into_Space_First_Since_2012_999.html

Iran has launched its Fajr (Dawn) observation satellite, using a Safir-2 rocket, the country's Fars news agency reported, its first launch since 2012 and declared that it has safely entered orbit. The launch marks the 35th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution and comes one day ahead of the country's Space Technology Day.

"Our scientists have entered a new phase for conquering space. We will continue on this path," the country's president, Hassan Rouhani, announced on state television, according to AFP.

The satellite is produced solely out of domestic components with no reliance on technology from aroad, the Fars news agency reported, and was built by the Defense Ministry's Aerospace Industries Organization.

The satellite has been placed into an elliptical orbit 250 to 400 kilometers above earth, according to Iranian international broadcaster PressTV.

According to Fars news agency, Iran is also planning on putting an observation satellite into geostationary orbit at 36,000 kilometers (22,320 miles), as soon as March. The satellite will have a lifespan of 18 months and will photograph and transmit images of the Earth' surface to Earth.

Iran's space program has been subject to international concerns, according to AFP, amid fears that it could be developing its rocket technology for military purposes, a charge which Tehran denies.

In October 2014, Iranian Space Agency deputy head Hamid Fazeli announced the country was preparing to launch three new satellites. The main function of the spacecraft is the transmission of images of the Earth's surface to ground stations.

Iran launched its first domestically-produced satellite in 2009. In July 2014, ISA introduced a 10-year national space program, which includes sending a man into space.

Sky News first on Inmarsat Global Xpress

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/02/sky-news-first-on-inmarsat-global-xpress/

Reaching the latest milestone, Britain’s Sky News has successfully broadcast the first live, on-air transmission via Inmarsat’s new Ka-band satellite network, Global Xpress (GX). Partnering with Network Innovations (NI) and Inmarsat, Sky News was able to live stream HD video over the GX satellite (Inmarsat-5 F1) broadband network from Athens for the 25th January Greek election news coverage. This recent achievement came just days before Inmarsat launched the second GX satellite, Inmarsat-5 F2, on February 1st.

GX’s worldwide Ka-band service will offer opportunities for broadcasters to send live SD and HD video from the most remote and inaccessible regions of the world, and significantly enhances their satellite broadband connectivity options, complementing Inmarsat’s highly portable, backpack broadcasting L-band streaming IP solutions.

“We have been using Ka-band satellite broadband since 2011, in flyaway kits and more recently on vehicles. It provides our crews with portable, reliable IP connectivity when out in the field.” said Richard Pattison, Deputy Head of News Technology at Sky News. “Our team in Greece demonstrated that we can do the same with a GX terminal and, once fully operational, the GX service will be delivered across a truly worldwide footprint. Sky News loves to innovate, so we jumped at the chance to try the GX service for real; the fact that we delivered the first broadcast live over GX was a nice bonus.”

Freesat now in 1.9 million UK homes

From http://www.digitaltveurope.net/314752/freesat-now-in-1-9-million-uk-homes/

UK free-to-air satellite operator Freesat has added 24,000 new homes in the final quarter of 2014, making the service available in more than 1.9 million households.

Over the full year, the subscription-free TV service said it added 56,000 homes and than more than four million viewers now tune in per week.

Freesat boxes that include its connected TV service, Freetime, accounted for almost 50% of all the service provider’s set-top box sales in the last quarter.

Freetime allows viewers to: scroll back through the EPG and watch shows from the past seven days; pause, record and rewind live programmes; and access the catch-up services from the major UK terrestrial broadcasters.

Freesat also said that total downloads for its January 2014-launched iOS and Android mobile app are now “approaching 500,000,” and that the launch of a Kindle Fire version of in December helped to reach new audiences.

Alistair Thom, Freesat’s former finance director who took over from Emma Scott as managing director at the beginning of this year, said: “It is exciting to become managing director of Freesat at a time when we’re celebrating such a strong final quarter of sales, the recent expansion of remote record and soaring downloads of the app.

“Although the UK television market has never been more competitive, Freesat’s commitment to delivering a great experience through easy to use technology has enabled our persistent growth.”

Freesat viewers can access more than 200 television and radio channels for no monthly fee. Optional top-up services include recently launched Hopster, a dedicated on-demand pay player for children’s entertainment.

From http://www.zdnet.com/article/nbn-co-faces-delay-in-satellite-launch/

Summary:The National Broadband Network satellites will likely be stuck on the ground for three months longer than planned.

NBN Co is facing a three-month launch delay for its satellites due to Arianespace's inability to find an appropriate launch partner for the first satellite.

As reported by The Australian on Monday, NBN Co's satellite director Matt Dawson has informed staff in a note that Arianespace advised that no suitable co-passenger had been found for the launch of the first satellite later this year.

"As a result, Arianespace has assigned a new co-passenger, and anticipates launch in Oct-Nov 2015. This ensures NBN Co remains on track to launch its first satellite prior to the end of 2015," Dawson said in a note seen by ZDNet.

"While the company is keen to launch earlier and will continue to prepare for readiness early in the second half of the calendar year, NBN Co has acknowledged the later departure of NBN Co-1A could result in a delayed launch of its second satellite, NBN Co-1B, into 2016."

The two AU$620 million Ka-band satellites, which will be used to provide 3 percent of Australian premises with broadband services, are set to be launched in French Guiana, and will provide services in 2016.

NBN Co said that every factor within the company's control is still on track for the original timing of the launches, and that other factors, such as weather conditions, could also ultimately impact the timing of the launch.

In September, NBN Co CEO Bill Morrow told the parliament that the satellites were in the thermal-vacuum testing stage ahead of the launch later this year.

Foxtel-style 'triple plays' offer improved margins

From http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/565287/foxtel-style-triple-play-offers-improved-margins/

Foxtel is a joint venture owned between Telstra, which offers Foxtel TV bundled with home Internet access, and News Corp.

IBRS advisor Guy Cranswick said that he expected 'triple play' bundles to become more common among ISPs.

"In this market it's an obvious strategy, almost necessary, as the price pressure on all three components is great but once bundled, it tends to cut churn and improve margins," Cranswick said.

"Bundling offers a strong means to grow marginal revenues. As a standalone business ISPs face commodity price pressure but once they offer content and other services it's a proven strategy to grow revenue and reduce churn rates.

"This has been known for a long time. The perceived convenience of the supermarket telecoms offer is good for vendors but not always ideal for consumers."

Existing Foxtel TV customers can add broadband Internet and a phone service from $65 per month on a one- or two-year contract, with a 50GB per month quota.

New customers can sign-up to a triple play package from $90 per month on a one- or two-year contract.

Use of Foxtel Go and Anytime, Foxtel Play and Presto services don't count towards a user's download quota if they are connected over the company's broadband offering.

"Foxtel is passionate about bringing Australians the best entertainment experience possible and we’ve worked tirelessly to make that experience more accessible through our investments in pricing and packaging for cable and satellite customers and through our new movies and TV streaming service, Presto," Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein said in a statement.

"Today, we take that effort to the next level by providing our most compelling offer yet with our new Foxtel Broadband and Home Phone bundles. Foxtel Broadband is specially designed with entertainment and video in mind and maximises the value of a Foxtel subscription through flexibility, customisation of services and a simplified customer experience."

Sky Television to offer Super Rugby online subscription for $299 a year

From http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/65690325/sky-television-to-offer-super-rugby-online-subscription-for-299-a-year

Sky Television will let people watch Super Rugby games online from next week without requiring they sign up to its broadcast pay-television service but the charges are the catch.

A "season pass" to Super Rugby games will cost $299, or viewers can get a monthly online pass for $69 or a weekly one for $29.

NRL and Formula 1 will also be offered online and some other sports will follow, spokeswoman Kirsty Way said.

Season passes for NRL games and F1 races are also priced at $299, with monthly passes costing $59 and $49 respectively and weekly ones $19.90 and $24.90.

The passes are being sold through a website separate to Sky's main site, fanpass.co.nz.

The move follows through on a tentative proposal made by chief executive John Fellet in September, when he said "standalone" sports services could appeal to people on a limited budget or who didn't have much time to watch many sports.

He said then that he expected most customers would find its bundled offerings more attractive in the long term.

Subscribers will be able to watch matches and races live in HD, and later at a time of their choosing "on demand".

Word that Sky might split off sports, regarded as the crown jewels in its television offering, from its television entertainment packages and offer them for online viewing was met with surprise in some quarters last year. But Forsyth Barr analyst Blair Galpin had forecast Sky would price the services "carefully" so as not to undermine its broadcast business.

Way defended Fan Pass' prices saying they were for "premium sports rights".

"We are running a business. Sky Sports is the main place to get sports but the public have said they are keen for other options.

"The whole business model falls over if you start undercutting your prime service. This is a sustainable way we can offer these very premium sports rights so customers can get those alone. It won't suit everybody."

Sky has faced competition from the likes of online television company Coliseum which bought the rights to English Premier League games and PGA golf. Fellet said it was better for Sky to "cannibalise" its own business than to let someone else do it.

(Craig's comment, ridiculous pricing as expected)

Satellite to lose some C-band access?

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/01/30/satellite-to-lose-some-c-band-access/

Satellite operators around the world have been seeking protection for their continued exclusive use of C-band frequencies. The threat to the bandwidth comes from broadband suppliers who want to use the frequencies for terrestrial services. The spectrum being fought over is within the 3.4-3.8 GHz range, and in many countries C-band (by satellite) is the dominant form of delivering TV signals.

A report in trade mag Space News suggests that Europe’s governments have already decided to permit telecom operators access to about half of the disputed C-band frequencies. The report says that the 48-member European Conference of Postal & Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT), which is the coordinating body for Europe’s telcos, has successfully lobbied for rights to exploit the frequencies. The decision will be endorsed at the upcoming ITU’s World Radiocommunications Conferences (WRC) scheduled in November.

Space News quotes Eric Fournier, chairman of CEPT’s Electronic Communications Committee, saying that satellite operators would lose access to the lower portion of the C-band spectrum, but might gain an extra 250 MHz of bandwidth in the Ku-band, although currently there was no common European agreement on the proposal. “We are still discussing this,” stated Fournier.

Satellite operators will be able to continue having exclusive access to the 3.8-4.2 GHz range, the ‘top’ end of the C-band frequencies.

Russia launches British comms satellite into space

From http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Russia_launches_British_comms_satellite_into_space_999.html

Russia on Sunday carried out its first space launch of the year, using its commercial Proton rocket to send a British satellite into orbit.

The launch went ahead as planned just after 1230GMT from the Russia-owned Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, a live broadcast shown by Russia's Roscosmos space agency showed. It is expected to reach orbit at 0402GMT Monday.

The communications satellite Inmarsat-5 F2 is the second in a $1.6-billion fleet called Global Xpress designed to provide broadband communications on land, at sea and in the air.

The I-F F2 satellite will cover the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, according to Inmarsat.

The Proton-M rocket has launched numerous Western and Asian commercial satellites, but it has suffered several setbacks in recent years.

In 2013, a rocket carrying cargo for the International Space Station exploded in mid-air right after takeoff.

A year earlier, a smooth launch ended in failure after the rocket missed the correct orbit, losing two satellites in the process.

Sunday's launch -- the 402nd launch of a Proton rocket -- started smoothly, with the first, second and third stages of separation taking place on time as the 6.7-tonne satellite headed on its course.

Russia wants to eventually replace the Proton workhorse with the newer Angara rocket, which completed a successful maiden flight last year

H-2A rocket boosts Japanese radar spy satellite into orbit

From http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/02/01/h-2a-rocket-boosts-japanese-radar-spy-satellite-into-orbit/

Japan launched a new satellite Sunday to reinforce the country’s fleet of orbiting spy platforms charged with monitoring its neighbors in the Asia-Pacific.

The spacecraft carries a sophisticated radar payload designed to survey the globe night and day  and in all weather conditions  from an orbit about 300 miles above Earth. The synthetic aperture radar instrument can see through clouds and camouflage, but its exact capabilities are kept secret by the Japanese government.

The satellite blasted off at 0121 GMT Sunday (8:21 p.m. EST Saturday) on top of a 17-story H-2A rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan.

Two strap-on boosters consumed their pre-packed solid propellant in less than two minutes as the H-2A rocket soared south from its launch pad at Tanegashima. The rocket’s hydrogen-burning LE-7A and LE-5B first and second stage engines completed their planned firings as programmed before deploying the reconnaissance payload in space.

The rocket took off at 10:21 a.m. local time in Japan after a three-day delay caused by unfavorable weather at the launch site.

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, which owns and operates the Tanegashima launch base, declared Sunday’s flight a success in a press release. The H-2A rocket launch was conducted by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the vehicle’s builder and commercial operator.

The launch marked the third H-2A rocket mission in less than four months, following launches of Japan’s Himawari 8 weather satellite in October and the Hayabusa 2 asteroid sample return probe in December.

The Information Gathering Satellite launched Sunday joins a network of surveillance craft run by the Cabinet Satellite Intelligence Center, which reports directly to the Japanese government’s executive leadership.

The radar spy craft was built as a backup for reconnaissance satellites launched on earlier missions.

Sunday’s launch was the 27th flight of an H-2A rocket since the launcher’s debut mission in August 2001, and the rocket’s 21st consecutive success since February 2005. It was the ninth H-2A launch in support of Japan’s spy satellite program.

Japan established the space-based reconnaissance program in the wake of a North Korean missile test over Japanese territory in 1998. Although the program was initially aimed at monitoring North Korea, the satellites can take pictures of nearly any place on Earth each day.

Japanese officials say data from the Information Gathering Satellites support civilian applications, such as responding to natural disasters.

The next H-2A launch is scheduled for March with an IGS payload carrying a high-resolution optical camera.

After the March flight, Japan plans plans up to three more launches from Tanegashima this year.

An H-2B rocket fitted with an extra hydrogen-fueled main engine and four solid rocket boosters will take off in August with an HTV cargo carrier for the International Space Station.

Japan’s Astro-H X-ray astronomy observatory and the Telstar 12V communications satellite  the H-2A’s first dedicated commercial launch  are currently scheduled to take off before the end of the year.

Iran to launch new satellite into space in days

From http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/02/02/395730/Iran-to-launch-new-satellit-soon

Iran is to finally launch a long-anticipated satellite into space, according to a senior official in the administration.

Sourena Sattari, who serves as vice-president for science and technology affairs, said Sunday that Iran would launch the indigenously built satellite in a “matter of days”.

The official did not elaborate on further details, but the planned launch might come on February 3, which is marked every year as Iran’s National Day of Aerospace Technology.

He said that experts would announce technical specifications of the satellite before the launch starts.

The Presidential Department for Science and Technology, which is separate from Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and under direct supervision of the president, is to take charge of Iran’s aerospace activities in near future.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the 24 founding members of the United Nations' Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space which was set up in 1959.

Arirang 3A set to be launched in February

From http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=175311

This is the Arirang 3A, Korea's first domestically-developed, multi-purpose satellite.
It is equipped with electro-optic and infrared sensor cameras that will enable Korean researchers to see high-resolution images of the Earth, even at night.
The camera can take pictures that are twice as clear as the Arirang 3, the satellite currently in operation.
The 3A is in now its final stage of development ahead of the blast off from Russia's Yasny launch site sometime in late February.

"All that's left is to connect the upper module of the launch vehicle to the satellite. And after we finish testing the electrical power, everything will be ready for lift off."

The institute's new project to develop the KSLV-2, the Korea Space Launch Vehicle number two, is also in full swing.
Its first stage was completed over a period of five years, and the project is now in its second phase, which involves connecting the 7-ton and 75-ton liquid engines.
Up until last year, scientists had focused on testing the engines, but this year they will concentrate on testing other parts of the rocket, in addition to test-firing the engines once they are assembled.

"This year marks a turning point in our quest to develop our own space launch vehicle, as we combine the technology of the equipment and facilities that we've developed so far."

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute, together with 15 other local institutions, pledges to push ahead with its research and development program to further enhance Korea's competitiveness in the global space race.

Singtel, Sony, Warner hook up for Asia OTT

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/01/30/singtel-sony-warner-hook-up-for-asia-ott/

Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros. Entertainment have established HOOQ, a joint venture start-up, to offer a regional over-the-top (OTT) video service in Asia.

HOOQ will deliver both Hollywood blockbusters and television series, as well as popular local movies and programmes to customers anytime, anywhere by enabling them to stream and download their favourite shows on their device or platform of choice.

HOOQ will be rolled out progressively in the Singtel Group’s Asian footprint, including Indonesia, the Philippines, India and Thailand, from the first quarter of 2015.

The studios provide access to their premium content and know-how. The Singtel Group provides market access with its customer base of over half a billion mobile customers. HOOQ will also use the Singtel Group’s billing capabilities, a crucial enabler in developing markets where credit card ownership is limited.

According to Jonathan Auerbach, CEO, Singtel Group Digital L!fe, HOOQ is an important part of Singtel’s digital strategy. “We have unique assets that give us a right to play in this space, and with our partnership with Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros. Entertainment, we will achieve our vision to be the largest OTT video service in the region. Demand for OTT video has been growing and is poised for higher growth in these markets fuelled by better data networks and the growing supply of affordable devices. This is a more than S$1 billion opportunity in our markets. Video transmission requires significant Internet bandwidth, which greatly affects customer experience. With HOOQ, we are bringing together key elements of technology, service and content to deliver the full internet experience to customers.”

Thomas Gewecke, Chief Digital Officer and Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, Warner Bros. Entertainment said the combination of Singtel’s expertise and Warner’s world-class content was a winning combination for entertainment fans in the region.

“Consumers expect premium entertainment content to be available to them at their convenience and as a result, over the top delivery has become an important part of our business,” said George Chien, Executive Vice President, Networks, Asia-Pacific, Sony Pictures Television. “Through this partnership, we hope to create a service to meet that demand as it grows in Asia.”

At launch, HOOQ will have a catalogue of over 10,000 movies and TV series including titles from partners Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros. Entertainment.

The service will offer customers a wide variety of programmes ranging from blockbusters such as Spider-Man and Harry Potter to TV favourites such as Friends and Gossip Girl. Customers can also look forward to an extensive selection of Indian, Chinese, Thai, Filipino, Indonesian, Korean and Japanese movies and TV series.

Peter G. Bithos has been named CEO of HOOQ responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of the stand-alone operation based in Singapore, and expanding the operation. Bithos was previously the Chief Operating Advisor of Globe Telecom in the Philippines.

“We are starting this venture to change the way people across Asia view entertainment,” he explained. “Today, across developing markets, there is limited access to quality entertainment, streamed directly to the screen of one’s choice. It’s either illegal, high cost or difficult to get. We aim to fix that. HOOQ will deliver a new form of entertainment that combines the best of Hollywood with the depth and richness of local Asian video content, across all devices at an affordable price,” he added.

24-hour Arabic news channel launched

From http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=395133

MANAMA: A New 24-hour Arabic news channel began broadcasting from Bahrain yesterday.

Al Arab News Channel is the country's first international satellite news station and will rival established names such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya.

The independent channel is owned by Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who has been ranked by Forbes as the 26th richest person in the world with a fortune of $20 billion.

First guest on Al Arab yesterday was senior Al Wefaq National Islamic Society member Khalil Marzooq, who was interviewed about Saturday's announcement by the Interior Ministry that the citizenships of 72 people had been revoked.

'Our job is to give the facts and leave the opinion to the viewer,' said Al Arab general manager Jamal Khashoggi.

'We're convinced that we will give space to every opinion.'

The channel, which has over 280 employees and around 30 presenters, was initially supposed to launch in December. It is headquartered at the Bahrain World Trade Centre and comes under the banner of the Arab TV News Company.

Our sister paper Akhbar Al Khaleej reported last night that the channel had been blocked for failing to abide by the customs and conventions prevailing in the GCC countries, including neutral media stances and non-involvement in anything likely to affect negatively the spirit of GCC unity and solidarity.

Sky UK to launch 4K “this Spring”?

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/02/01/sky-uk-to-launch-4k-this-spring/

An authoritative report in the UK’s Sunday Telegraph says that Sky is bringing its launch of 4K transmissions forward dramatically to this spring. Sky, says the report, will launch its all-new ‘Project Ethan’ Ultra-HDTV set-top box to help counter the threat from BT’s exclusive deal to screen European Champions League and Europa League football.

The Project Ethan box offers extra advantages over today’s top-of-the-range 1 Terabyte HD unit, and will allow viewers to ‘broadcast’ to multiple second screens including tablets and smart phones, and to store content online for remote access.

Sky is already ‘pushing’ content to set-top boxes, mostly movies, and says anything between 40 per cent and 60 per cent of movies watched every week are already pre-stored within a box. Project Ethan, and ‘cloud’ storage will further improve access to content  and in 4K for those with a suitable TV set.

Virgin Media is already experimenting with 4K, while Netflix and other on-line video suppliers have 4K material available including movies and dramas such as House of Cards and Breaking Bad.

Sky is staying tight-lipped just at the moment, but more might emerge from its February 4th results statement. Formally, Sky is only saying that it is continuing to evaluate and test 4K technology in preparation for launch.

Greece to restart ERT

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/01/30/greece-to-restart-ert/

Greek public broadcaster ERT (Hellenic Broadcasting Corp) was ordered to close in June 2013, and has struggled ever since with some 2600 staff laid off. ERT returned to air in July 2013 with a dramatically cut-down broadcasting schedule reflecting the country’s austerity programme, and a new name NERIT (New Greek Radio, Internet & Television organisation).

Greece’s newly-electric prime minister Alexis Tsipras now says that NERIT will be reformed “immediately” and that ERT can re-hire its former “unlawfully dismissed” employees.

Whether this promise means that the broadcaster’s three orchestras, 19 local and five national radio stations, plus television channels, will all be reinstated is  as yet  unclear. NERIT currently is on air with 6 radio channels and two TV channels.

Zee launches TV app for APAC market

From http://www.indiantelevision.com/television/tv-channels/gecs/zee-launches-tv-app-for-apac-market-150131

MUMBAI: After making its application available to users in the US, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) has now launched the same for its Asia Pacific viewers, which gives them access to instant and unlimited access to a wide variety of content.

Called Zeefamily.tv app, subscribers in the region can now enjoy a large library comprising hundreds of classic and new Bollywood movie and will also have access to episodes of Zee shows.

Currently this service is available in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. It will be activated for six locations in Asia Pacific to start with post which it will be opened for the remaining markets. The app will contain more than 25+ Zee channels including general entertainment, movies, news and regional content thus offering one stop shop for complete entertainment experience.

Zee business head Asia Pacific Sushruta Samanta said, “The app has received a wonderful traction in the US market since its launch. The catch-up feature and the VOD option have found strong preference within our viewers. We are expecting a similar trend in the widely distributed diaspora population within the Asia Pacific region.”

It will act as an important tool to fight piracy and illegal viewership of our content within the online viewing community.

The app is not only available on any web browser but also on devices including iOS and Android smart phones and tablets. The first 30 days will be given for free trial post which pay subscription will begin.

Viewers will be able to register for a TV package of its own choice on https://www.zeefamily.tv/Packages. Zee Family's Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) service will allow members to re-watch episodes of their favorite shows and for movie buffs special monthly movie subscription package that allows unlimited access to its library is available.

Huge rise in India’s ‘inactive’ DTH subs

From http://advanced-television.com/2015/01/30/huge-rise-in-indias-inactive-dth-subs/

India is frequently cited for its huge  and growing  DTH subscriber numbers of a combined 70.33 million. But a report from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) tells a different story.

TRAI says that the total number of inactive subscribers grew by 5.99 per cent (q-o-q, and during the July-Sept 2014 period). This growth takes the total of inactive subscribers to 31.2 million  44.36 per cent of the claimed total. Back during the April-June 2014 quarter the total number of inactive subscribers was 29.33 million (43.41 per cent).

According to TRAI the overall DTH universe continues to grow. Subhash Chandra’s Dish TV added a net 378,000 during A3, and Bharti Airtel’s net growth was 151,000. Overall, the ‘active’ DTH universe expanded during Q3 by 2.27 per cent to 39.13 million (from 38.24 million).

From http://www.indiantelevision.com/dth/dth-operator/doordarshan-freedish-to-hold-20th-online-e-auction-with-rs-37-crore-reserve-price-150130

NEW DELHI: Two months after the last e-auction, Doordarshan will be holding the 20th e-auction for Freedish on 11 February in an attempt to touch the target of 112 television channels in the next few months.

Doordarshan has set a reserve price of Rs 3.7 crore per slot for the online e-auction; though Indiantelevision.com has learnt that the bid amount went up to Rs 4.2 crore in the 17th e-auction held on 12 November. This came shortly after the 16th e-auction on 28 October.

DD sources said while the 19th auction was to fill four slots, it had been decided not to disclose the number of slots in advance this time in order to prevent bidders forming consortia to bid or resort to other malpractices. (It is however learnt that the e-auction is to fill five to seven slots.)

Prasar Bharati CEO Jawhar Sircar had said recently that the future of Doordarshan was in Freedish and digitization. He had added that this may mean that some channels would have to be attracted to Freedish by means other than e-auction.

DD sources also said that while Freedish may be encrypted to keep a tab on the number of subscribers, it would remain free-to-air.

The e-auction will be conducted by Synise Technologies Ltd., Pune on behalf of Prasar Bharati.

The reserve price in the 15th e-auction was Rs 3 crore and was raised to Rs 3.7 crore in the 16th auction.

Prior to the 16th auction, the total number of channels on Freedish was 58.

Meanwhile, a Doordarshan official declined to give the number of successful bids in recent auctions as engineers of the pubcaster had to test these channels before verifying any numbers.

The eligibility terms and conditions including other relevant details for this e-auction are displayed on DD website: http://www.ddindia.gov.in/.

However, the participation amount (EMD) in the e-auction is Rs.1.5 crore, which will be deposited in advance on or before noon on 11 February along with a processing fee of Rs 10,000 (Non-refundable) in favour of PB (BCI) Doordarshan Commercial Service, New Delhi.

Applicants have also been asked manadatorily to deposit a Demand Draft of Rs 5,500 registration amount favouring Synise Technologies Ltd., payable at Pune at the time of submission of the application. The time for every slot e-auction will be of fifteen minutes duration.

The applicants must provide details of the uplink/downlink permission documents received from the concerned Ministries with the applications to ensure they are not rejected.

The demand drafts of unsuccessful bidders will be returned immediately or within a week after the e-auction process is completed.